Melting Hopefuls

An oddball New York City quintet based around the team of singer/guitarist Renee LoBue and drummer-producer Ray Ketchem, the Melting Hopefuls delivered a sometimes strange -- but usually winningly -- melodic brand of indie rock with a nice balance of folk and noise textures. LoBue and Ketchem formed the Melting Hopefuls in 1990, adding bassist Sue Kresge and electric guitarist Max Siebel (LoBue usually favors a folkish acoustic), and playing local clubs. A self-released demo cassette, Prune Juice, came out in 1991, followed by Magnet for Stains in 1992, and Heal Back Harder i...