The Fletcher Pratt

Psych-pop quartet the Fletcher Pratt split the difference between the garage rock scene that gripped their native Detroit at the start of the 21st century and the more ambitious psychedelic leanings of Elephant 6 bands the Lilys and Cotton Mather. The combination works wonders, both adding more melodic and structural interest to primal three-chord rock and giving some much needed immediacy and heft to a style that can occasionally be a little too precious. Taking their name from the noted science fiction author Murray Fletcher Pratt (1897-1956), the Fletcher Pratt formed in Detroit in the early '90s around the partnership of singer/songwriters George Dubber and Stephen Palmer. The band went through a few lineup changes before settling on the rhythm section of bassist Joe Lavis and drummer Joe Leone (formerly of early-'90s power poppers the Gershwins). After a few more years of gigging around Detroit, the band signed to the British label Rainbow Quartz in 2000 and released a three-song EP, Electrocute, in November of that year. The band's debut full-length, Nine by Nine, was released in February 2001. ~ Stewart Mason