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Written by AUGUST FORTE
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Saturday, 31 December 2005 |
The power pop boom of the 1970s - signaled by the success of groups like Cheap Trick, The Records and The Knack - held to a fairly strict set of stylistic/aesthetic rules. Big hooks, bigger guitars, sharp suits and pop art LP sleeves were ubiquitous in an erratic era that also birthed disco and punk.
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Voicst
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 Entertainment
 Art
"11-11"
(Duurtlang Records)
Released 2005
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Power pop has come in and out of vogue since its heyday-the last major resurgence driven by Matthew Sweet, The Posies and Material Issue in the early '90s-but continues to influence contemporary bands.
Amsterdam's Voicst (named after the South African slang for 'manic energy') take a few liberties with the rules of power pop-the sharp suits are at the cleaners and the big guitars, while undeniably present, are sometimes traded in for strummed acoustics, keys or samples - but touch base often enough to warrant the power pop tag.
2005's “11-11” is a fine, if unremarkable, slab of catchy, energetic guitar rock. The giant hooks that carry “We are on a Chemical Push” and “Shut Up and Dance” will keep Weezer fans smiling widely and the group does have a flair for smart lyrics as evidenced on the sly “Porn.”
“11-11” toys with power pop's style and aesthetics (the CD cover, attributed to Robin/David Gilmour Girls, is a wonderful collage of movie monsters, toy robots, spaceships and fallen buildings rendered in yellow, pink and blue) without ever achieving the heights of Cheap Trick's self-titled debut or Material Issue's International Pop Overthrow. Still, Voicst is a band to watch, especially for power pop completists. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
