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Player Hater:
Picking You up Just to Put You Down
Humorous and somehow almost embarrassing, the name Player Hater would normally dissuade this fearful reviewer from even picking up the album. Theres an unfortunate sense that the music of Player Hater would be that highly specialized genre of socially conscious hip-hop that makes up for its lack in quality by passionate sincerity. But such fear would have been this reviewers loss. Jeff Gomez has pulled together an extremely simple collection of songs, exemplifying the low spirits and generalized frustration that makes the most enjoyable rainy indie-pop. Comprised mainly of Gomezs voice, a guitar, and the occasional backing of a harmonica and some drumbeats, Picking You up Just to Put You Down is set apart by Gomezs steady hand in lo-fi production. The songs are refined, but not overly so, and he is a charmingly apathetic singer. The melodies are narrow and even repetitive, but new harmonies and the gentle instrumentation sound fresh and polished. No song stands particularly above the rest the entire album is a slow course but P.O.P.E.Y.E and Whos Walking Away exemplify Gomezs relaxed approach. The similarity of these songs to each other is not a detraction; its a pleasure to simply let the album run its course. Player Hater has all the spontaneity of the best ventures into indie pop, but Gomezs balanced production keeps the music from wearing on ones nerves. Having overcome the amusement of the band name, Picking You up Just to Put You Down turned out to be one of this years hidden gems.
Check Amazon, Insound and CD Universe to purchase this album.
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