Meet Cute

Cute Is What We Aim For is likely the perfect 21st century pop band. Almost purpose-built for short attention span marketing campaigns, the four gents in CIWWAF focus so heavily on pop sheen, hooks, and scene-ster touchstones that it's often difficult to figure out just what the sum of the...

By Nicholas Hall

July 17, 2008

With 3 days left in our summer campaign,
we have a new $10,000 goal!

Phoenix New Times members have already contributed more than $7,000 - can you help us hit our new goal to provide even more coverage of current events when it’s needed most? If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$10,000

$8,000

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21251496",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21327862",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "16759093",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "21934225",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25          
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17012245",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Cute Is What We Aim For is likely the perfect 21st century pop band. Almost purpose-built for short attention span marketing campaigns, the four gents in CIWWAF focus so heavily on pop sheen, hooks, and scene-ster touchstones that it's often difficult to figure out just what the sum of the parts is. Then again, for a generation of kids growing up with YouTube clips instead of movies, iTunes tracks instead of albums, and text messaging instead of letter writing, a band that plays like a highlight reel is just what the doctor ordered. They're signed to Fueled By Ramen (surprise, surprise), so you know automatically that you're getting pop tailor-made for the 25 and under crowd. You can complain about that if you want, but it's actually an interesting throwback to the hitmaker days of the ’60s, when bands could find favor by assimilating bits and pieces of whatever was trendy at the time, never really fleshing out a sound of their own. That's what you're getting here. If you know that ahead of time and still choose to show up, this band will keep you well entertained. Take a photo for your MySpace page while you're at it.
Fri., July 18, 6:30 p.m., 2008

Nicholas Hall

A message from Culture Editor Jennifer Goldberg: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's vibrant culture and arts scenes.

Support Today