Think BEATLES, COLD WAR KIDS, THE SHINS, and ELVIS COSTELLO. "We’re making pop music the way it should be made,” singer and songwriter Pat Kearns says. This is the band 4th full length release and each of the 12 tracks is another piece, another story, and another facet of what music has been missing lately. Don’t you miss it, too.!” XO’s bio pulls no punches and it’s difficult to disagree with this sentiment. With the mainstream world of “pop” following the contemptible American Idol idiom, it’s mitigating and pleasing to hear from this camp.

“Serenades And Hand Granades” opens with the pop appeal of “Siouxie Please Come Home” which sets the tone. Pop rock at it’s best is all this group can offer. Call it feelgood. B.S.F.A.B.H. is on top of it’s game. The horns of “Jenny And Steve” and “Ambition”. The acoustic guitars and organ of “Won’t You Please Stay”. The slammin drums and fuzz bass of “She’ll Follow Me”. The overall power of “Sweet Valentine” with it’s 70’s glam drumbeats and harmonica. This is definitely a step up from ‘06’s “Love Is Not Enough”. That 10 song album proved that this group could hit you over the heard in roughly a half hour. This 12 song long player does it even better with ten added minutes.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.blueskiesforblackhearts.com

RELATED ITEMS: BLUE SKIES FOR BLACK HEARTS - "Love is Not Enough", 2006