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Evergreen is known more for the Little Bear than "Little Italy"
but DeNunzio could change all that. After all, Milwaukee is
teeming with DiFazios and Fonzerellis. Back here in
Colorado, where Clear Channel rules the airwaves with a steely dan,
these former Acrobat Down members are radio friendly enough
for any world class-mountain-fox-adventure. It's power pop sure enough,
but of he sugar-free variety. Classic rock riffs are submerged in
college rock jangle and excitable post-punk rhythms. Without actually
fitting into a defining genre, there's nothing to dislike here. It's
an honest and negotiable path that avoids cliché. Natural builds
catch and release during hook-laden phrases. When the mood calls for
a touch of evil ("Branded") it's never over the top, it's
a realistic foray into darkness. "Forever" invokes "Proud
Mary" with honors just as "Sounds Of Tuesday" makes
veiled references to "Ziggy Stardust." Sturdy tunes arrive
already assembled in an agreeable form that none in the office will
want to terminate.
In true socialist-democracy style, each candidate elects to provide
song material for which he serves as vocalist. The triumvirate is
a strong support unit. Hans Buenning is a talented guitarist.
Not astounding, but pretty good with amazing sound-sense. His deceptively
understated licks and tricks are easily overlooked, like a Marty
Willson-Piper. Jason Jones' stalwart drumming is sure,
while remaining light and pliable. He can shift easily from swift
to delicate at a whim. Bassist Eliot Zizic plops down warm,
lumpy bass lines. And while the arrangements allow for plenty of organic
shifting, the boys manage to stay tight. All three make decent lyrical
creations, while preferring a jagged vocal technique to create tension.
In composition and crooning the threesome are pretty equally matched,
with slight advantage to Zizic. More versatile in styles from blues
to punky, he also delivers ponderous gems like "Often I've seen
action figures modeled after actual civilians."
The origin of the DeNunzio moniker is as much a mystery as the
fictitious Everwood locale. But the real mountain town has more
to boast now than a supporting role on South Park. And the Little
Bear has yet another reason to raise its exorbitant cover charge.
-Ewan Wadharmi
Track Listing:
1. Forever
2. You Know
3. Help But Smile
4. Hadadigm
5. Teacher's Lounge
6. Sounds of Tuesday
7. Another
8. Killing Time
9. Nothing Left
10. It At That
11. Her Way
12. Branded
13. Back To The Start
14. Mamma
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