Stars

It's not a 7" single; it's a CD isn't it? The bastards! They had me searching high and low for that stupid little circular 45 adapter for the turntable I haven't even owned in eleven years! And it's a CD! But very creative packaging for sure! First of all, I knew they weren't American anyway… I recognized the English Café they're looking out of on the cover sleeve. I'd like to mention something else; this is a terrific band that's going to make definite waves here in… umm, America.

There's nothing that really jumps out at you here, no fancy gimmicks or studio innovations to suggest this is some new fashionable indie-rock player about to set a new trend… though they still might. They have however incorporated a wealth of experience through the use of outside influences that elliptically brings past to present both in and out of the studio. Recalling some of the finest grassroots American rock and Brit Pop from the likes of Dylan, Genesis, Paul Simon, hell, even Paul Rodgers and a more contemporary hit maker like Counting Crows, UnAmerican is conscientious in what they do, lyrically significant, playfully spry, and refreshing in that they arrive on the scene without any major axes to grind!

First single "She's a Bomb," should make quick work of the so-called industry standard and quickly blow up in the face of preprogrammed music directors still searching for the next catchall hit, though much of UnAmerican does not adapt well toward the hit-single environment. Titles like "Tonight's the First Night" or "Wicked" should soar to chart topping success, but looking beyond individuality, much of the material is straight-laced where the songs possess a lasting character that should take them far beyond; we're looking at longevity here and UnAmerican makes as good a case as anyone in recent years.

The production took place primarily in Memphis House of Blues-maybe you've heard of it-with some pretty big time contributors and thus we get that "down home" vibe that serves well, those consisting of the ballad variety: "Mary's Son," "If this is the End," "I was Wrong."

UnAmerican's catchy light-hearted, heavy-edged power-pop and artsy folk rock is a real shot in the arm-an almost underground essence that they bring with them, casually side-stepping the usual "alternative" stumbling block in the path of musical stardom. So now where are you gonna pledge your allegiance…?