Well, every time I spin this disc from BPOU, I'm reminded of that late 80s musical renaissance period, with bands like VOIVOD, SOUNDGARDEN, KINGS X, and MASTERS OF REALITY challenging our notions of heavy rock'n'roll. The obvious reason is because these guys have what I'd call stellar songwriting skills, and they can blend heaviness, soulfulness, and quirky indie-rock stylings like few bands I've heard before. There's a lot going on in this music, and the production creates an intimate and organic landscape for these tracks. Plus, they're a three-piece (Joe Shipman/gtr, Michael Peffer/Dr, and Ray Piller/bass). And everybody sings - not growls - all three members actually contribute hummable, melodic voices to these tunes.

"You Would If You Loved Me" and "Hollywood Hitman" are melodic, guitar-driven gems in the style of L.A.'s MOTHER SUPERIOR. In fact, many aspects of this band remind me of the MS boys...the harmonized vocals, the tightness, the way the guitar fills are put together, etc. I guarantee you're a goner when you hear "Summer Song", as that one will just get stuck in your head for days and days and days. Both guitar solos (!) that Joe Shipman pulls off are great, beefy, and colorful. Like I said, it only takes one spin for that one and you're a goner.

But...just when you think you've got these guys pegged as another great soulful power trio, they go left on you with "Passive Aggressive", a track that calls to mind great 90s alt-rock stuff like PAVEMENT or even some of the FLAMING LIPS material. Traces of this quirky songwriting and indie-rock schmaltz are laced throughout the album, and surface in other tracks like "It's Hard", adding yet another dimension to this sure-fire keeper. I love it when a band "takes it to the outside" a little, y'know? But my favorite track of all has to be "Rich", an amazingly catchy fuzzrock number that shows off brilliant open-voiced guitar fills, tight bass interplay and spectacular drumming. What I'm trying to say is...this ones a winner, people.

I've never heard this band's earlier material, but I have heard that it is radically different from "Interstellar Messages". As it stands now, this disc has and will remain within 5 feet of my player at all times.

- Marchman

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