From the moment The Leftovers first hit my ears with
the sounds of “Run Real Fast” this record
has had a familiar tone that I have not been able
to let go. It sounds so much like so many great records
and bands that have come before and yet it is still
as fun as can be with its pop-punk stylings that draw
a little on doo-wop. Songs like “She She She”
sounds like they come straight from a sock-hop in
the fifties, I keep looking for poodle skirts and
Grease references throughout the artwork to “On
The Move”. Ben Weasel did this record and sure
enough The Leftovers sound a fair bit like Screeching
Weasel. They actually sound a ton like the record
that fellow Weasel Mass Giorini did for the Huntingtons
“Fun and Games”.
It’s amazing how being a band for a little
while can have a huge influence on a band. The Leftovers
have been around for a while and it shows all over
the place on this record. The band is as tight and
catchy as can be and they don’t waste time stretching
their songs or their album out with fluff and instead
they left this record at 13 tracks (the longest of
which is almost three minutes) and just shy of half
an hour. This may be this Portland bands 5th full
length, but this was my first interaction with them
and if their other stuff is this catchy, then there’s
a good chance I’ll be checking them out soon.
If you want to have a lot of fun and maybe forget
about a few problems in the world, then pick up The
Leftovers’ latest album. It may not be long
enough to make you forget everything, but it will
provide a nice breather and allow you to roll the
windows down and sing along for a little while.
Key Tracks: Dance with Me, Pick and Choose
Reviewed by Rob Froese |
