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The Elms
The Big Surprise

(Sparrow)

Released May 22, 2001

www.theelms.net

If power pop is an underground thing, there is a huge
power pop subgenre featuring some of the best music
you could ever dream of. The problem is, even the
supposed pop hipsters don't know about it. These are
bands just as good, if not better, than Fountains of
Wayne, Tsar, Weezer, Gigolo Aunts and similar power
pop favorites. The only difference between these and
more conventional pop bands is some of the songs
happen to be inspired by Jesus Christ. Yes, we are
talking about CCM, or Contemporary Christian Music.
They really should come up with a different name for
it (godpop, maybe?) because a lot of people dismiss it
without even giving it a chance. Some of the
incredible bands you should listen to include Cadet,
Bleach, Switchfoot and Plankeye. But I digress, for
the focus will be on the most talented of these bands,
a band that deserves to be superstars, a band that
just released a jaw dropping platter - The Elms.

The Elms are four young lads from Indiana who have
relocated to Nashville, (which has quite the scene
there as well, for anyone who owns the Nashpop comp).
This is an incredibly polished and sophisticated disc
for a debut, sounding remarkably like The Tories. In
fact, if you heard it, you would think it was them. As
incredible as The Tories are, this one blows them
away. Gooey harmonies, orchestrated arrangements,
clever songwriting, fuzzy guitars. Even though they
probably have no idea who they are, there is also a
resemblance to the hallowed Jellyfish. Oh, and don't
worry about being religiously converted, only the last
song "Real Men Cry" actually mentions Jesus.

This isn't just hyperbole, you have to get this one.
It's scary to think that they are only going to get
better.

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Benjamins
The Art of Disappointment

(Drive-thru)

Released February 27, 2001

www.benjaminsrock.com

"It's all about the Benjamins." I heard that phrase
repeated ad nauseam a few years ago by Puff Daddy (now
P. Diddy) and his cohorts. Being a small town Canadian
boy, I didn't really know what that meant. Of course,
with a few trips to the States and a few years of
wisdom under the belt, I now know what "Benjamins"
are but I think that the slogan could be better used
for these guys from Milwaukee. It could be a great ad
campaign..

The Benjamins are huge fans of Superdrag and somehow
secured the services of their producer, Nick
Rasculinecz for their debut. The sound is similar to
Superdrag, but comparisons to edgy power pop bands
like Ultimate Fakebook, the Stereo, Ashtray Babyhead
and Weezer also come to mind. Very catchy indeed, with
anthemic choruses, hard guitars and lots of
chanting.The Benjamins themselves like to call their
sound "power pop with balls" and I suppose that is
appropriate. The lead vocalist kind of sounds like
Dave Pirner from Soul Asylum, but don't let that scare
you. (I still have my copy of Grave Dancers Union)
They sometimes have an attitude but they also have a
tender side. With the resurgence of Weezer, the
Benjamins could break through (with some record
company support, the right single and a little luck).
Here's to luck.

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Receiver
Inspiration Overload

(self-released)

Released sometime in July, 2001

www.receiveronline.com

Formerly Kickstand USA, Receiver's "Inspiration
Overload" has been a labor of love for the group's
founder, Ken West. Several years of heart, soul and
other things have been poured into this project.
Patient fans will be rewarded as they will finally get
the chance to hear the material this month, which also
coincides with their appearance at IPO. Receiver is
Ken West on guitars and vocals, Kerry Chicoine on
bass/vox, Wil O'Brien also does guitars and notable
pop scribe John Borack bangs the drums.

A variety of influences rear their heads on
Inspiration Overload - chiming Teenage Fanclub
guitars, Pooh Sticks girl/boy harmonies, Greenberry
Woods arrangements, a little Merseybeat, Let's Active,
Dbs,Todd Rundgren and Pursuit of Happiness in there as
well. The lead vocals also sound a lot like Paul
Chastain from Velvet Crush, and a few tunes
(Sacharine, Faster) have a VC jangly feel. The
harmonies are probably the best part, with Lisa
Mychols or the Masticators providing backing vocals on
all tracks, with the top song being the title track,
it would be a huge hit in a better world.

This CD sounds like a lost gem from the 1980s, while
paradoxically sounding very fresh and exciting. Reward
Mr. West's efforts and buy it.

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