REVIEW: The Kelly Affair, Welcome To The Kelly Affair (Not Lame)
- Bill Holmes
The Kelly Affair have actually been welcome before, but under a different name - Cinnamon (the good Canadian band, not the crappy European one). But since they have forsaken straight-ahead guitar heavy power pop for more of a loose lo-fi feel, it's no wonder that they not only changed their name but don't mention their lineage in the liner notes. As Cinnamon, it was but two short years ago that the incredible Cream Soda tossed power chords, hooks and snare-happy drumming into the blender and came away with a twelve-track killer (which, of course, fell on deaf ears south of the Mountie line). Now the wah-wah guitars give way to pumping piano, side-door melodies and arrangements that occasionally approach disorder. But much like Cotton Mather's luxurious Kon Tiki, there's a subliminal magic that weaves its wonder after the first couple of listens. Listen to the kickoff track "Photographs Of Four", where the vocals are...well, flat! But as you get past that, there's a groove thick as gravy that starts to pick you up and take you along.
Lead singer and songwriter Terry Miles has a voice that can be borderline twee, reminiscent of bands like the Three O'Clock. But in these new surroundings, the comparison falls solidly on Mitch Easter. Let's Active fans loved the thin bouncing pop sound out of North Carolina, and The Kelly Affair have taken that motif and run with it. The Beatle-ish guitar and keyboards of "That School" are infectious, as is the off-beat piano and horn treatment that frames "Another Edit". Michael Shelley fans will swear he is guesting on "Suburban Salute", and on possibly the strangest song, "It Falls Away" uses the chord changes from (gulp!) "Free Bird" and somehow comes up with a pop song (I am not making this up).
There are still hooks galore here - "Last Summer" and "Supersweet" are probably the closest thing to a Cinnamon throwback on the record. But if you like your pop straight no chaser, this might not be what you want. However, those who can appreciate the more adventurous pop groove would be wise to check this one out.
