On hiatus since 2001, Chicago-based pop rockers The Webstirs return with their fourth release entitled, "So Long". Indeed, 8 years is a long time, but the songwriting talents and performance skills of The Webstirs have only gotten better with age.
Songwriters Preston Pisellini (guitars/vocals) and Mark Winkler (keyboards/vocals) have teamed up with their long-time producer Matt Allison to deliver the twelve pop gems comprising "So Long". The Webstirs specialize in writing infectious pop melodies that have a strong Beatles or Brian Wilson flavor, while retaining a very contemporary sound. "So Long" is thoroughly engaging and entertaining from beginning to end.
Things get underway (and close) with an instrumental piece that serves to cleanse the musical palate. Without further ado, the bright and brassy "Wesley Station" kicks the CD into high gear, showcasing the band's knack to fuse crunchy and jangly guitar riffs. Like many of the other songs that follow, the mix of key pop ingredients is perfect - horns and other dramatic orchestration blend in very effectively with the crisp guitars and plentiful harmonies. Imagine a jam session between Jellyfish and Weezer! "Somewhere to Start" flexes some more guitar muscle, but remains grounded in a solid sing-a-long hook. But the band isn't all about guitars, as evidenced by the bouncy piano of the delightfully catchy "Malaise" and the equally enjoyable "Calendar Faces". "Apparition Shrine" sounds like it would fit most comfortably on a Weezer record. "Still Drowning" is one of my favorite cuts, its driving bass and jamming guitar riff hitting all the right buttons - sounds a bit like AC/DC jamming with Jason Falkner!
"So Long" is so good, I am so looking forward to getting tangled up in the rest of The Webstirs' CDs. Highly recommended for fans of Britpop, Jellyfish, Superdrag, and Fastball.
iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11
The Webstirs on MySpace. Official site. Get CD here.
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