This demo from New York’s ELECTRIC SHADOWS takes me back to the days when I had JOE JACKSON’s “I’m The Man” on several formats. The band sports absolutely top-notch songwriting skills…and the tracks just reek with that late 70s / early 80s power pop sound. “Bowery Sunrise” is a delightful, upbeat romp through Westerberg-land, complete with that great combination of open chords and “Naw, screw it…” attitude. The guitar licks of ELECTRIC SHADOWS six-stringer Murat often reminded me of the late great James Honeyman-Scott. Sure, some of the vocals are a little flat here and there on this thing, but for a self-financed demo, this is just a killer disc. Check out “Break the Rules” for the sharpest collection of hooks ‘n handclaps this side of the first UNDERTONES record. Put a decent producer (maybe Ric Ocasek? How about Don Fleming?) behind these guys and we could have a debut album that blows away that MAHARAJAS cd we’ve been raving about.

THE HIVES may have the cool suits and the hype, but be watchful for the lean and hungry. THE ELECTRIC SHADOWS are too talented to settle for some “mystery achievement”. Click the link below and request a copy of this friggin thing!

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/electricshadows

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