Uni Boys “Do It All Next Week”
California-based Uni-Boys channel power pop’s late 70’s and early 80’s era, and fans of The Plimsouls, 20/20, and The Jags will embrace their sound. While “You Worry About Me” and “Downtown” has the style down perfectly, it really fires things up with the hook-filled “On Your Lovin’ Mind,” where the guitars remind me of Bram Tchaikovsky. The production is mostly, clean and avoids the overly processed problems of that time period.
The “boys” are Noah Nash (guitar/vocals), Reza Matin (guitar/vocals), Artie Fitch (drums), and Michael Chipolletti (bass/vocals). The terrific guitars ensure most everything here works, although some tunes need stronger vocals (“Long Time No See”) or a less tinny production (“Hypocrite”). Plenty of highlights include “Up To You,” the multi-tracked strum of “Caroline Kills,” “Daily Dose,” and the Lou Reed-like strut of “I Wanna Rock You.” Highly Recommended.
No. 2 “First Love”
Portland’s No.2 has a compelling sound courtesy of singer/guitarist Neil Gust (Heatmiser). The opener “I’m On A Mission” has deep KISS-like riffs, about first loves, lusts, and heartbreak. While the songs are written from a queer perspective, the themes are universal. “Ravers In The Sky” is a good follow-up with a wicked guitar break. The energy level of the album eventually devolves into mid-tempo noir stories, as “A.O.R.” tells of a relationship at a college radio station.
Some nice prog-like melodies emerge with “Time’s Up,” and the rocker “You Might Be Right” is another highlight. The title track “First Love” is a slowly building tune that eventually gains momentum with some layered harmonies. However, the lack of riffs on other songs makes them forgettable. Overall a decent album that deserves to be heard.
