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ONE WAY Recommends [Issue
#17] The 88 By
Lynne Bronstein
Over And Over
(CD
Mootron)
Fed up with doom-ridden angst wailed by spoiled brats? Meet The 88. This much-loved
L.A. “power pop” band delivers with bouncy, lyrically clever songs
that you can actually hum. Yes, they’re very ‘60s-influenced. You
will be reminded of the early Kinks, Lovin’ Spoonful, Beach Boys, even
a soupcon of Jimi Hendrix. But the influences are the spice, not the meat in
this flower-power goulash. There’s a refreshing kind of innocence here.
Despite titles like “Battle Scar,” “Head Cut Off,” and “Haunt
You,” The 88 are not Goths and these songs are more likely to put a smile
on your face and a spring in your step. The lyrics deal with relationship problems
and personal identity crises’ but they won’t get you bummed - the
sky is ever blue in the The 88’s world. And true to their name, they incorporate
some tasty keyboard work to augment the standard guitar/bass/drums (heard to
best advantage on the aforementioned “Haunt You”). Skinny ties, kitschy pop-art
cover art - The 88 do it all with nary a nod to current faux-‘80s alt-rock.
You’ll “groove” to it!
