Rock Candy

I hadn't listened to an Apples in Stereo album in probably ten years, but I went down to Revolution last night hungry for some sugary-sweet power pop goodness. I got that, though perhaps I didn't really understand the fullness of sugary-sweet power pop goodness.

Aside from being a little too busy, the band — made up of two guitars, two keyboards, bass and drums — did derivative pop well, particularly on a long "Magical Mystery Tour"-style psychedelic workout that I didn't recognize. Lots of Moog and feedback. The medium sized crowd (strong on a Sunday night, I thought) of mostly young folk seemed to loooove every minute, especially when the band played songs that everyone knows because they're on car commercials (see here, here and here).

But ultimately, even more than on their albums, it didn't take long for the preciousness to wear thin. There's only so long you can listen to a eunuch-y front man sing about birds and clouds and energy and not want to throw-up.

Ah, but I've got a dark heart. Anyone else catch the show?

Also, my near throw-up aside, props to Chris King for taking another risk on the kind of indie band we rarely get in these parts.