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Love Arcade - Self titled
Atlantic/EastWest Records
About three months ago I'm strolling through one of my
regular record store haunts, just trying to kill some time on a
lazy Sunday. After spending a little time checking out the
racks, I stumbled across a little box on the floor by the cash
registers containing a bunch of promos the store was giving
away. Staying true to my credo "if it's free it's for me" I
start riffling through the promos, hoping to find some cool
stuff. After grabbing about three sure-fire CDs I knew I was
going to like because I knew the label or artist, I notice this
CD. The first thing that caught my eye was the name, which
didn't sound like something a punk band or metal band would call
themselves, which made the probability I was going to like it
that much greater. Then I study the picture on the cover of a
guy dressed in a suit with angel wings on his back tugging on
his hair. Interesting imagery and, since the CD was free, I
grabbed it and decided to give it a shot.
Fast forward to two weeks ago.
I am just about to go on a little long distance driving
trip and started looking for CDs to take with me to listen to
during the ride. I stare quizzically at this CD, grab it and
decide the trip is going to be the time to dig in to it. So, I
eventually hop in my car, start driving, find this little CD and
pop it in there expecting the worst, because that's my luck.
Man, was I surprised!
This CD turned out to be the shit!
Conceived, graphically designed, written, arranged,
played, engineered and produced by Snowhite (alias Christian
Berishaj) the album is a tour de force, made all the more
astonishing due to Snowhite being only 19 at the time the album
was recorded. It seems Snowhite is the epitome of the term
'musical prodigy'. Writing and recording songs in his home
studio since his pre-teen years, Snowhite began gathering a buzz
when he started mailing his demos out to various record labels
beginning at the age of fourteen. With his mother following up
his submissions by relentlessly hounding label reps with phone
call after phone call, it was only a matter of time before
somebody took a chance on the talented youngster. By that time,
Snowhite had started performing live and often wore angel wings
on stage, hence the drawing on the album cover. Eventually,
Atlantic Records got a hold of Snowhite's demos and thought
enough of the lad's infectious pop rock to sign him up to a
record deal, placing the album on the subsidiary East West.
Love Arcade's debut is a marvellous excursion into the
world of energetic, throwaway pop like The Cars and Greg Kihn
used to do so well in the '80's, though with a modern rock
sound. Don't expect to listen to this album and retrieve any
great message from it. In fact, if this album has a flaw, it is
often with the juvenile lyrics. Now, since Snowhite is barely
out of his teens, the lyrics and subject matter of the songs are
exptecd to be of a more juvenile sort. It's just that the
melodies and songs are so catchy and well-constructed, a
listener may well expect the same sort of maturity in the
subject matter of the songs. Alas, it is not to be. But that is
an exceedingly minor point. The truth is, this album had me so
pumped up and jazzed, I immediately called a bunch of my music
friends when I got back in town and told them of this fantastic
CD. I am hoping to see the same sort of growth in Love Arcade/Snowhite
as Prince had after his debut. If Snowhite can get anywhere
close to the quality of The Purple One or even Ben Kweller, I
would expect a very long career with many, many great albums
left in its' wake. This kid even wrote the parts for the strings
on the slower songs - damn!
This CD will appeal to those who like modern power pop
like Weezer, Fountains of Wayne, Green Day, and any other band
who makes you feel like jumping around all crazy like whenever
they come on the radio or the sound system. Very catchy rock
that will have you singing along to the anthemic choruses
quicker than you would have thought possible. Perfect summer
party rock and great for playing while you test your car's
maximum speed capabilities. In other words, excellent Friday
night driving music. An artist to watch and an album to pick up.
Get it now. - Scott Homewood
www.lovearcade.com
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