The Grouchy Gaijin's Thoughts on Music and Such

The other day Matt my work-study student here at a major university in West Lafayette Indiana came in with some MP3s to add to the Grouch's stash of tunes.  Check these guys out he said.  I saw them at a show and they were really good.

They are a band called Pop Evil. The album he gave me is LIPSTICK ON THE MIRROR.  Matt the work-study student is right.  These guys are good.

I listened to the album and I dig it.  More than once I found myself enjoying his guitar - its NICE to hear a kid who can really make it scream.  I went to the band's website to find out more about them where I saw this:

POP EVIL IS THE BEST THING TO COME OUT OF MICHIGAN SINCE THE AUTOMOBILE. (OK, the automobile and Kid Rock).

Bingo - I knew it.  Its in the water I tell you.  Check out my Detroit Rock City post about the contributions Michigan (mostly Detroit) has made to the world of music.

Leigh Kakaty (lead vocals)
Dylan Allison (drums)
Dave Grahs (guitar)
Tony Greve (guitar)
Matt DiRito (bass)

The Album: LIPSTICK ON THE MIRROR has 12 tracks.  I really like most of them.

Track 1: Hero - Check out the guitar on this track.  He jams.  Then after a short introduction the bombastic assault on your senses begins - man these guys can make a racket - you can feel the pissed off energy as he reads some chick the riot act.  The whole time the band is just as powerful, this builds to the 2:14 mark where we get the first taste of a massive lead jam.  Every time I listen to this song I find myself smiling and tapping my foot - BOOM there it is.  That kids, is Rock and Roll.

Track 2: Shine Down - the assault continues before settling into a melodic groove.  I said melodic not mellow.  Make no mistake this song rocks as hard as the first track.  I gig the chorus and once again that guitar comes snarling in - 2:17 seconds into the song and the dude pulls out another kick ass solo.  All the time Kakaty is melodically sneering at the world.  Damn this stuff is good - the Grouch's mood is improving the longer the music plays.

Track 3: 100 in a 55 - one of the best refrains I've heard Going 100 in a 55 don't know why I'm still alive but I do what I can, but I know I can't take anymore.  I still believe in this Rock and Roll and I pray the Music is going save my soul.  Until then I still believe some things are just meant to be.

Track 4: Somebody Like You - This is a somewhat mellow track.  He is singing about loneliness How can I live without somebody like you.  Just tell me its over. Often this type of song gets on my nerves as an EMO singer whines and pines - this song doesn't irritate me though.  Perhaps its because Kakaty sounds good and the band has already established that they have the chops to raise the roof.

Track 5: Stepping Stone - this is not a cover of the Monkies song.  This is actually a Power Ballad.  I find myself thinking that two in a row is a bit much.  I'm disappointed that the guitar doesn't save the day.

Track 6: Jupiter in June - the guitar is back.  This song reminds me of Nickelback. The guitar player saves the song - without him the song would be lame.  The last 20 seconds or so absolutely rock.

Track 7: One More Goodbye - I like the drums in this song.  The chorus rocks.  The guitar is ripping and vocals snotty - then comes a mellow part.  The guitar plays a really nice section before heading back into the chorus.  His voice sounds really good on this song. There is some really nice guitar work in the background.

Track 8: Ready or Not: -  I like the intro - his voice sounds good, Kakaty is in his element.  The music rocks - even the cheesy OOO OOO vocal line in the backup vocals don't bug me.  He is singing about love - but in a very hard rock way - at 2:21 the guitar goes on a rant that lasts until 2:35 where some whispering vocals come in and whisper until the chorus.

Track 9: Hard Highway: - Nice drums and an acoustic guitar start the track off.  He comes in singing and for some reason I don't like the intro vocals - he sounds too much like Eddie Vetter. (Vetter's voice gets on my nerves.) The music is good.

Track 10: Hey Mister - The track starts with very pretty guitar.  I like his voice on this track.  This is another Power Balled that is helped immensely by the fantastic guitar leads.  The nice flash of lightening comes in at 3:23.

Track 11: Acoustic version of Somebody Like You - SKIP

Track 12: Acoustic version of Stepping Stone - SKIP

So, what is the bottom line?

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