second album from pop levi on which the man on a mission begins to prove all that all the hype around the release of his debut may have been justified after all.
while the debut, the return to form black magick party, had some classic glammed up pop excellence, there were a few too many second rate tracks that held back total dedication from yours truly.
this time around pop levi has shed the live band, entered quincy jones old studio on his own with a few rusty old school machines, slimmed back on the excess, and crafted a fine album full of pop highs, full of enjoyable fuzzed up guitars, layered vocals, processed beats, and fizz bang synths.
i can’t deny that the lead single, never never love, did nothing for me upon its release. something just didn’t click, and yet when the prince-like drums (a reoccurring factor on this album) kick in for track two, the pleasure rush is palpable.
there are times that the hybrid of glam guitars and 80s electro funky loops can get a little close to lenny kravitz at times, hello fire on your feet, and the sped up vocoder’d vocals of mai’s space are little too disney channel for pop to be taken entirely seriously, but this is only because the hook filled melodies are so radio friendly, i would not be overly surprised if my kids start to demand this album when out and about during the summer holiday season.
i mean who can resist the superb rocking out glam of oh god (what can i do), or the prince (yup him again) ripping, everything & finally, i know i can’t, or the delicate chopped up acoustic guitar and lo-tech synth action on the beautiful call the operator.
pop levi may even have a massive crossover hit with the piano, 100cc-esque loved up, 70s aor referencing, calling me down, lighters at the ready if this ever gets to stadium show status, and for once, i would not begrudge such an outcome.
excellent melodies, straight to the point songs (ie. no self indulgent gumph), lots of interesting production tricks, make never never love a wonderful leftfield pop album, and in 2008 that’s a very welcome surprise.
more detail : here – – counter records