The Apples in Stereo
" The Velocity of Sound"
(spinART Records)

Pop craftsmen are the true unsung heroes of our starving generation. When we lost hope in the face of grunge, in flew Weezer. When the Nu-metal junk permeated the airwaves, the Apples in Stereo were there to brighten our eyes and sing us through another day. The about the Apples is they never make a record that sounds like the one before it, and it feels like their records are a progression into something bigger and better. They prove themselves again with a fuzz-ridden overdriven rock-pop album titled "The Velocity of Sound".
"Please" opens the album wide, with a blast of guitar, 1-4-5 flavor and a hopelessly simple melody. I love the fact that the album is just teeming with Rat pedals. "That's Something I Do" perfects ultra-pop in such a strong way, that you want to go buy some Bazooka Joe gum and a bottle of Coca-Cola Classic in the glass. For the most welcome shuffle oriented track o' the bunch, visit the second side of the record for "Better Days", followed without haste by the upfront "I want".
There lies a definitive Guided by Voices tone influence, almost as if GBV were catalysts in the Apples own tone soul evolution. And if you loved that record, and "Alien Lanes", add it this to your shopping cart. You'll not be disappointed.

-Jeff