(Slumberland/Popfrenzy)

Power pop extravaganza

Admittedly, I’m a sucker for chiming guitars, infectious melodies, and the life-affirming lyrics that prop up all good power pop records. Consequently, I’m not surprised to be drawn to the sophomore record of New Jersey’s Big Troubles, who’ve assembled all the aforementioned elements into a slick, light-hearted portrayal of the travails of affection on Romantic Comedy (much like many of the stories that inhabit the related film genre). Branching away from the lo-fi approach of their debut Worry, Big Troubles engaged the services of Mitch Easter (R.E.M), resulting in slicker production and the emphasis on melody. Indeed, you would be forgiven for thinking you’d picked up a Teenage Fanclub record, with the band’s two primary protagonists Alex Craig and Ian Drennan continuously alternating lead vocal roles (Drennan even sounding uncannily like Norman Blake on tracks such as She Smiles For Pictures). The results are pleasing, Big Troubles acutely tapping into that rich thematic vein of nostalgic optimism pervasive in the works of power pop bands like Big Star, The Posies and The Wannadies. It’s a reminiscent journey, illuminating the angles of love and its inconveniences. On Sad Girls, Craig dwells on the inevitable failure of love, brightly communicating his disdain of the concept by threatening to mutilate himself (“And if I hear the word again / I think I’ll drill a hole in my head”). Elsewhere, the group emulate labelmates The Pains Of Being Pure at Heart, with Minor Key brokering an introspective analysis of the appeal of sad songs via an infectiously upbeat guitar melody. I cannot help but feel spoiled by the ideas, chords and notes that support Romantic Comedy, and am grateful to Big Troubles having produced a record worthy of repeat visits.

****

DARRAGH MURRAY

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*