|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
The Marlboro
Chorus: Good Luck
After paying his dues with Tripmaster Monkey and Multiple Cat, Pat Stolley has earned this shining moment, where his new outfit, Marlboro Chorus brings his quirky pop visions to fruition on Good Luck. Released in 2003 on Future Appletree, this is one album you can simply not do without. The 1960's pop-inspired numbers are the greatest contributions from this outfit of suburban Iowans with "The Unrulable Child" being the standout track of the record, hands-down. Driving guitar coupled with an unapologetically catchy hook make this sappy track a shoo-in for an appearance on a soundtrack for a future Wes Anderson film, as that director makes no secret of his fondness for pop legends such as The Creation and Arthur Lee. Stolley doesn't pretend either, as the entire album seems to cast a wink in the direction of Brian Wilson as well as XTC. There is a blatant "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" influence in the melody of "Always One For Fun" but that is forgivable due to the fact that the song is well-crafted and done in a classy manner. The following track, "The Clock Puncher's Carousel" brings a brilliant homage to Brit-Pop of the late 1980's with its carefree, upbeat attitude. From the opening, acoustic guitar strumming licks of "Potters, Daisies" it is simply impossible to avoid snapping your fingers and swaying along to every song on this meticulously crafted album. However, Stolley's love of remorseful and frighteningly intimate lyrics becomes apparent when the album slows down during "What's Your Alignment" and "Truly Sorry," but those songs certainly do not represent the album as a whole. In fact, it's hard to pin down a specific style that is adhered to throughout the 32 minutes that comprise this album, but that might be its greatest strength. Perhaps Good Luck can be accused of shifting gears too often, but if you must purchase one jangle pop album from recent years, this is undoubtedly the one.
About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
