REVIEW: Neve, Neve (Portrait/Sony)
- Paul Andersen
Here is a group that has been blessed with good luck and kissed by bad. Hailing from Simi Valley, California -- perhaps best known as the site of the first Rodney King trial that set off the L.A. riots -- the four members of Neve clicked from the start. Quickly compiling some solid songs and an energetic, fun live show, the band created a huge So Cal buzz and was signed by Sony within months of forming.
Everything seemed really to be going their way. They placed a track on the soundtrack to "The Faculty," and it wasn't long before "It's Over Now" was getting airplay on local alternative giant KROQ. Things seemed to be falling in place, and the future required sunglasses.
Then a funny thing happened. The album had its release date delayed. Again. And again. And again. I've been listening to an advance I got last summer (they must feel like they have literally given birth to this project), but finally they have got a solid release date, which was once again delayed two weeks - just for spite, I guess.
Anyway, let me get to the point. Sometimes, good things don't come easily, and Neve's debut is definitely a good thing. With 13 solid pop songs that show an eye for lyrics that plain folks can relate to and an ear for matching them with melodies that will leave you humming (they've got a knack for hooks so sharp there should be a warning label) after one listening, it was worth the wait. Vocalist John Stephens has an easy voice to like, while guitarist Michael Raphael drives the sound with sparkling riffs. Bassist Tommy Gruber and drummer Burwell keep the rhythm focused and driving. And don't think that Neve is a powderpuff pop band -- they crank it up and rock.
The group has just aligned with alloy.com, a clothing company geared towards teenage girls -- they'll be running audio on site along with contests featuring the band - that should prove to be a perfect fit. Sony has released "It's Over Now" as the first single, and it should be continuing its climb up the charts as you read this. It's a great summer single, and its success should serve as a payback for four patient guys from Simi Valley. And just perhaps, that town will now have another reason for infamy.
