If you’ve never heard of Mike Viola, perhaps you have heard the song “That Thing You Do” from the Tom Hanks movie of the same name. Or perhaps you’ve heard of the band he fronts called, The Candy Butchers. Or his E.L.O.-like band L.E.O. Still no?
Well if you are a fan of modern power pop, you must become familiar with Mike Viola and/or The Candy Butchers. He’s been consistently cranking out top-notch pop nuggets for the better part of this decade, most featuring his storybook style of writing. His signature voice has just the right amount of rasp to put the power in the pop, but not so much rasp that it grates on the ears. Nearly every track on every CD he’s released has a little something that makes you want to come back and replay it – they are THAT catchy.
“Lurch” is his latest independent release (2007), currently available through his official web site. For me, “Lurch” did not have the immediate appeal that his prior releases had, but the many songs that work are true gems. Any fan of Mike Viola should be thrilled with this CD, and newcomers should also be hooked. Others who will be intrigued by “Lurch” includes fans of harpsichord (especially on “Snowman In Tompkins Park”), and fans of the Addams Family theme song (check out the tribute riff on “Girly Worm”). I prefer his masterful modernization of the sunny 70s pop vibe, shimmering through in tracks like “All Bent out of Shape”, “The Strawberry Blonde,” and “So Much Better.” The intricate harmonies on these tracks will blow you away and having you singing along for days.
Mike Viola on MySpace. Official site.
iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12
Check out a live performance of “Girly Worm”:
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