First impressions of ... Sir Salvatore's 'Continental Breakfast'

These San Francisco boys are as humble as pie: " It's Sir Salvatore, the underdog indie rockers. We've been quiet for awhile but we've got a new EP to show for it: 'Continental Breakfast'! You may recognize the first track, 'Ambalina,' from last summer -- just now that we've got a few more songs to go with it."

You may also recognize "Ambalina," lovely Fly High, Duluth! reader, from numerous awesome "Don't Tell a Soul" mix tapes -- along with the majority of Sir Salvatore's first release, the "Those Men are Not Astronauts" EP, that is.

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of this group.

What that in mind, I couldn't really wait until my next round of CD reviews in the Budgeteer to proclaim my love for this, easily one of 2008's most exciting releases. (Don't worry, this is just a preview; a full-blown review is still in the works.)

1. "Ambalina"
Wise move, Sir Salvatore launches its new EP with one of the most glorious indie rock gems ever penned -- a track I've certainly been spinning since it was "leaked" on the group's Web site last year.

2. "E.D.C."
A gentle composition that ... quickly picks up the pace and launches into a "dueling vocalists throwdown" -- an approach favored by Hopkins' the Plastic Constellations.

3. "Fingers"
A quirky number that won't fail to impress fans of post-punk groups like stellastarr* or (maybe even) Gorky's Zygotic Mynci.

4. "Denouement"
For whatever reason, this track's title immediately reminds me of "Clerks." But that's probably not a bad thing, seeing as how it could've easily slipped onto the film's eclectic soundtrack.

5. "Townies"
A brilliant mover that doesn't waste any time (the track clocks in at 1:30) -- imagine the Little Black Books if Mark Lindquist traded in Duluth for that other city by the bay.

"Continental Breakfast" features artwork by Adam Drobotij. To purchase this digital EP, visit eMusic or iTunes. For more information on the band, visit www.sirsalvatore.com.