Ephemera for the Future

Album Review

When you say the nebulous term "power-pop," this is the smooth but energetic kind every person favors. You know, the original archetype, the Revolver/Beatles kind in text (the opening "If I Could Only Get Out of This Chair" grabs McCartney's famous "Taxman" bassline like Trolleyvox is sitting in a comfy chair) and the ringing, big, hollow-body Rickenbacker-Byrds kind in sonic approach, only sounding completely '90s, not museum-vintage. Like any old genre being synthesized, bands run the risk of sounding dated and overmatched when they take on moldy gods, but not when informed by such ringing production (whoever Adam Lasus is, he's fantastic) and such lively playing. This is not the work of teens in a garage, but it's also not too polished and dainty, even on the quieter comedowns such as "Don't Turn Me On." Nor is it too unkempt and disorderly. It's that space in between, really well-played and expertly composed and arranged (by band mastermind and superb guitarist Andrew Chalfen), with first-rate modern sound. The unpretentious, cagey vocals from budding star Beth Filla don't hurt either, and let's hope they can get knockout drummer Ken Buono to join full-time. A real keeper. (P.O. Box 271, Haddonfield, NJ 08033; castells@bellatlantic.net) ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover, All Music Guide