Those of you who frequent the top power pop blogs are no stranger to Chewy Marble, which features Brian Kassan formerly of the genre faves, The Wondermints. We have not heard from Chewy Marble since 2001's fantastic "Bowl of Surreal", but I am happy to say they are back in top form with their third CD, "Modulations".
Six years is a long time to write and polish songs, so fans are going to be expecting some spectacular stuff and...(drum roll)...I predict that fans will be very pleased with "Modulations"! All of the elements that fans would expect are present once again: super catchy songs, smart melodies, and lofty Lennon-esque vocals. They also delve into some psychedelic pop for a couple tracks (check out "Somewhere Else"). But what separates this CD a bit from the previous ones are the more personal and pensive lyrics. Additionally, a couple of intriguing instrumental jams break things up: "Mental Toothache", which has a bossa nova lounge feel, and "Moments", a sweet acoustic ditty.
We start things off with the infectious single, "She Roxx", an amusing mid-tempo pop ode to rock chicks. "Cross-Hatch World" is another instant favorite of mine, a pleasant and catchy number with a jangle pop feel. Some of the more melancholy tracks include a couple stripped down acoustic gems..."Flicker" covers the universal struggle to fit in - "When I'm in a room of people I wish I'd stayed at home", and "My Dad", a tear-jerking tribute to fathers that is one of the greatest since Bread's "Everything I Own".
But don't let me mislead you by highlighting the more serious and reflective pieces...the majority of the CD is light hearted and upbeat. An excellent release. Let's just now hope that a fourth CD will appear in less than 6 years this time!
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10
Chewy Marble on MySpace.
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