The Spies and The Bobbies: Power Pop Music News Album Reviews by Don Krider
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THE SPIES: Toy Surprise Inside
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Fans of Raspberries ("Side 3" era), Posies, Big Star and the Beatles will love this one. Aged 18 to 24, the three members of The Spies have already scored two hit college radio singles with the Beatle-esque "Tired Of Being Alone" and the fantastic power popper "Blame It On Mommy". Both tracks and eight more are on this 1998 Fig Records release. The band's members (Mardo, Zig and Bob) wrote all of the tracks themselves, with more-than-able production by Don O'Neal and Pete Wolf. "Nature Girl" could have come off the Beatles "Rubber Soul" --- it's that good. Besides several great rockers, there's also some stand-out ballads in "You And Me" and "I'm The One". The catchiest track here is "Blame It On Mommy" --- easily a Top 10 single if the guys make it to a major label deal. These guys could easily be the next Fastball. HOMETOWN: Fresno, California. RATING: ****.
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THE BOBBIES: Supersongs
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If you have a secret love of bubblegum pop (come on, admit it), this is the band to check out. It has been decades since any group has produced albums so loving of the bubbegum genre. Fans of The Archies, 1910 Fruitgum Company, The Partridge Family and Tommy James will love the songs here. This 1993 release features bassist Kennie Cruz, guitarist Mickie Bliss and drummer Buddy Greco (yes, he is the son of the famed musician). Tunesmiths Kennie and Mickie offer up some really tasty original compositions here. The rock-steady backbeat of Buddy powers all the tracks. The Bobbies could pass for The Sweet on "You Cannot Deny". There's a rockin' edge to tracks such as "Money Makes You Happy" and "Your Touch", which could pass muster with the best of Slade, Artful Dodger and Joan Jett. "What Else Is There To Say" could start a Herman's Hermits revival. "Don' Hold Me Back" echoes the classic hits of The Romantics.HOMETOWN: Richmond, New York. RATING: ***.
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THE BOBBIES: We Are Our Shadows
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As on their 1993 album, "Supersongs", this 1997 Bobbierock release continues to establish The Bobbies as the new Kings of Bubblegum. This effort also moves more into power pop. "Dove" has an incredble John Lennon-ish lead vocal. The Byrds would love the intro to "Dimming The Light From Candles". "That's How It Ought To Be" is great, with an intro and melody seemingly borrowed from the Raspberries "Go All The Way". "All Join Handz", in addition to the Slade-style title spelling, again reminds musically of Slade and Joan Jett. There's the pure pop of "Make-A-Me Happy" and "On Setting Roads To New Agression", which show an admiration for The Monkees, Grass Roots and Turtles. HOMETOWN: Richmond, New York. RATING: ***.
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