REVIEW: Shadowplay,Eggs & Pop (Incandescent Records)

- Tim Hulsizer

Incandescent Records is a new San Francisco-based label that's got a great agenda: To focus on releasing alternative bands from other countries. I certainly could not be happier, especially after hearing this first offering from the label, Shadowplay.

Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Shadowplay have been around in some form since 1982 and have had considerable success in their native land. It's not difficult to see why. This album is polished, beautiful at times, and perhaps most importantly, entertaining. Front man Brandi Ifgray has a strong but sensitive voice, but unfortunately it's often lost in the mix when it should be dominating the guitars, as he digs into relationships and life in general. The songs are finely crafted, jazzy pop gems that actually succeed in drawing the listener in the first time around with their excellent melodies and arrangements.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about Shadowplay's sound is that they forego extended walls of "alternative" distortion in favor of some moodier flavors. Marco Kosonen's trumpet contributions are featured prominently, and combine with the organ to form a perfect foil for the traditional rock 'n' roll guitar. Eggs & Pop was called Album of the Year by one publication when it came out in Finland, and I see no reason it shouldn't find a similar acceptance in the U.S.A. with the right distribution. The lyrics are in English, for those concerned about that stuff. Check out out the video game noises on "Foam", the disturbing dissonance of "Some Kind of Wonderful", and the great hooks in most of the songs on the album, particularly the opening track.

To sum up: Excellent songs, average mixing, but a beautiful and engaging sound. All-around sonic joy. I give it an A-, and sit here waiting for more.