Note from the editor... first
of all I'd like to thank Kurt for joining me in
this thing called AORLAND.
Yep... it's been kinda slow in updates in the
last months but it's taking off again so I hope
to see you all here. So what is Kurt doing in
AORLAND? Well, he'll be mainly writing about all
the things pop... call it modern rock or power
pop (or pseudo-grungy shit for many people).
Actually he has total freedom to write about
whatever he likes so don't be surprised if you
find the review of a dance cd or a X-rated pic of
the man himself...after
all it's KURT'S
KRAP...
Usually
when I hear the phrase “critical
darling”, it’s usually a cue that the
music is barely listenable, far out of the
mainstream garbage. Not this time. Overall this
is hard to sum up in words, but the
C‘Drifters sound is sort of a cross between
the 60s California sound (ala Mamas & The
Papas) and modern day roots rock (ala
Springsteen). Featuring members who have played
with artists like the Bangles, Matthew Sweet,
Dream Syndicate, among others, the vocals and
harmonies achieved border on the spectacular.
Musically it’s all very down home and
friendly and has a live feeling that gives off
the attitude that the band is out to please
themselves first. Songs like “Na Na”,
“Long Journey Home” and
“Someday” are unpredictable yet
definitely have a signature sound to them. I
didn’t think this would have been for me at
all, but honestly, this is a very good pop album
which I have been spinning a hell of a lot more
than I would have originally thought.
Bombastic
pop that has a British flair, amazing considering
these guys are from Indiana. Ear catching
melodies fill this disc, whether it’s the
modern edged “I Can’t Let You Go”
or the ringing “Anything For Love” or
the pure pop goodness of “Truck Honey”,
this mob shows a lot of promise and fulfills it
perfectly. Their faboo cover of the Monkees’
“She” should also be noted. Obviously
influenced by the Beatles or even more so, The
Who, there’s no doubting these guys know
their way around their instruments, as evidenced
in the fine soloing of guitarist Phillip Bunny.
Though the production could have been sharper,
it’s a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent
album.
Does
it get much more perfect that this? This is one
of those discs that from the second the first
chords ring out, you know you’re on to
something special. Packed with catchy riffs, toe
tapping rhythms, clever lyrics and the faboo
vocals of David Fagin. Pure as the purest pop,
but certainly with some edge, this as it stands
is one of the best power pop albums I’ve
heard in some time and on a fast track to be the
Album Of 2001. Whether you’re cranking it on
a long Sunday drive, or just kicking it around
the house, you cannot go wrong here. I won’t
pin down any individual highlights as far as
songs are concerned, as each spin of the disc
brings a new favorite. If I weren’t so poor,
I’d offer you a Buyback Protection
Guarantee, that’s how convinced I am
that you will like, no…love, this set.
This
two-song teaser from their upcoming album shows
that these guys will be a force to be reckoned
with as far as NuBreed Melodic rock is concerned.
The title track is a rocked up cover of Faith
Hill’s sultry hit and simply stomps the
original to pieces (and I liked it too!). The
flip, “Don’t Be Gone”, is a large
and tasty slice of modern guitar rock, crunchy
and melodic. With a little luck, these guys are
gonna be HUGE.
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