Do It Again

Smash Palace ' Do It Again' Brothers Stephen and Brian Butler continue to weave melodic magic with this excellent release. The super catchy jangle of "Living It Lonely" starts us off, then we get the muscular riffs of the Tom Petty-like "It's Easy." Another favorite here is "Do It Again," as Butler recalls the compulsion to rock from his past influences (The Beatles, Stones, CBGB's) "before the music was all for free." It's a desperate plea to bring back what made rock and roll matter to so many lives. His vocal reminds me of Ray Davies - both "21st Century Boy" and "Tell Her Now" sounds like a long lost Kinks tunes. Talk about infectious - both "She's Never Coming Back" and "Dreamer" will stick in your head and stay there for good. The chord progressions and organ of "Sympathy Runs Deep" are classic as well. Not a mediocre note here as this album makes my top ten for 2012 list easily. After last year's "7? made my 2011 list I didn't think the band could get better - I was wrong. Super duper highly recommended as essential power pop.