Pulling together roots rock and pop has never been easy, but The Bellfuries do it with smart gusto. The opener “Welcome to the Club” has the right blend of guitar and rockabilly beat with catchy melody sure to please fans of Rockpile and Dave Edmunds. The merseybeat rythyms of “Sung by Someone Lonely” has a bit of Elvis Costello flavor as well as a little early Beatles, with really impressive guitar work. The simplicity and honesty of early rock and roll is the appeal on another standout “Give It Get It” complete with handclaps and flowing vocal harmonies over a great bassline. This melting of genres gives the album instant ipod appeal and the even the Hollies-light “Cheerleader” packs a strong pop punch. Another great song is “There could only be one you for me” with impressive chord and time signature changes that is comparable to Bleu and Mike Viola. Even lead vocalist, Joey Simeone sounds a little like Mike Viola on shuffling jangle of “This Love Ain’t So Bad.” “Big Surprises” also sounds a bit like Costello, but with more energy and force than the other tunes, and it never gets dull even at over 4 minutes. Other songs don’t reach these heights, but they come close. The ballad “The Only Ghost There is Me” is the only misstep here with violins and low organ, sounding like it belongs on a different album, with a tone closer to Gerry and The Pacemakers. “All My New Friends” fairs much better as a mid-tempo tune. But even this doesn’t take the shine off a brilliant album. The musicianship here is flawless and “Palmyra” sounds like both a cohesive album and a compilation of hit singles. No filler here and after a few more listens the hooks on these tunes draw you in all over again. If that doesn’t deserve a Top Ten nod, I don’t know what else does.
My Space | CD Baby
Listen to “Give it Get it”