(Interscope)
In 1995, a local label in Baltimore (called Merkin) signed a band (called Love Nut) and released an album (called Bastards of Melody). Shortly after the release, Love Nut was picked up by Interscope records, who re-released the album. Why is this pertinent information, you ask, when this is supposed to be a review of the CD?
Simple. The Merkin version of the release has the nifty glow-in-the-dark-cover, that's why! Sure, it's cheesy, sure, it's campy, but then again, the album's called Bastards of Melody, and has a picture of a dwarf on the cover mugging with a Gretsch standing in front of a cool old '66 Buick Special. This cover screams "ATTITUDE"!!! And that's Love Nut in a (pardon the pun) nutshell.
Consisting of Andy Bopp on guitar and vocals, Max Mueller on guitar and vocals, Dave Vespoint on bass, and Tom Sabia on drums, this Baltimore quartet hits you right between the eyes from the first note of "She Won't Do Me", and doesn't let up until the last measures of "Black Cat". Does it falter along the journey? Sure, but I've rarely met a record that didn't.
Highlights include the songs "Into Battle" and "Touch", the most melodic tunes of the this collection. Crunchy guitars and vocals that range from silky smooth to rawing growls give this record its best appeal.
The record slips only when it forgets to hook you, on songs like "The Images", which lacks that Love Nut catchy pop/punk groove. They hit more on songs like "I'm A Loser", which contains the chanted refrain of the title that has everybody singing along even if you've never heard the song before.
Even though you can't get the cool glow-in-the-dark cover any more, you'll want to pick this record up if you're into high-energy power pop. If Yanni's more your speed, you'd better skip this one... of course, if you don't pick this one up, the band might just send the dwarf after you with the shotgun he's pictured holding on the back cover.
