Of all the bands currently inhabiting the revolving musical circus known as Elephant 6, none are more succinct, retro, or poppy than the Minders. These certainly aren't bad qualities; on the contrary, they're the reason why the Minders are such an important part of the ubiquitous Athens, GA-based collective. Cul-de-sacs & Dead Ends is brimming with sweet, gooey, two-minute pop confections. The album is billed as a b-sides compilation, but don't be fooled into thinking it's a "contractual obligation" record of filler and half-finished songs. It's actually a compilation of four rare, and now out-of-print seven inch singles, a song from a compilation album and four previously unreleased tracks. It's a short journey, with the 17 tracks clocking in at just over 35 minutes, but it's time well spent, as the Minders are masters at crafting diverse and punchy pop songs. Though the style and influences are familiar (picture the Beatles having a knock-about with the Kinks and the Troggs), nothing sounds dated. Tracks like "Rocket 58" and "Waterlooville" ride waves of jangling guitars, rubber ball rhythms and layered vocal harmonies. Singer/songwriter Martyn Leaper's voice exudes a very McCartney-esque quality on "Paper Plane", "Now I Can Smile" and others, which only adds to the disc's warm, familiar feeling. Cul-de-Sacs & Dead Ends is 90's pop filtered through a 60's haze, and it sounds all the better for it.