Search - All Star United :: Love and Radiation

All Star United is back!!

Michael Ray | Virginia | 06/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All Star United returns with another magnificent set of power pop tunes packed full of big hooks, swaggering guitar riffs, and smart lyrics. In fact, I think this is finally a worthy follow-up to ASU's first two records. It's not quite as charming as their self-titled debut All Star United or as diversely quirky as 1999's International Anthems for the Human Race, but it definitely ranks higher than the disappointing, under-produced Revolution(2002). Love and Radiation is a summer record which jumps out of the speakers like musical confetti, showering the listener with rock n' roll goodness.



Ian Eskelin (writer, producer and lead singer), coming off a superb outing with his solo record Save the Humans, continues to write smart, catchy tunes that will engage your brain even as you roll down the car windows and sing at the top of your lungs. His work should be placed next to other infectious "brighten-your-day-make-you-smile" power pop bands, such as Fountains of Wayne (Traffic and Weather) or Weezer (Weezer (Blue Album)).



The album begins with a rocking bang--the title track kicks things off with a quiet build before jumping into the massive chorus explosion: "You're the one I've been waiting for, you're my rocket to the sky." From that point on, the album never looks back, and indeed does rocket through 37 minutes of some of the best sunny power pop tunes you'll hear this year. In addition to the title track, highlights include "Before you Break my Heart," "Let's Rock Tonight," and "Jesus on the Radio," all of which can easily be radio hits.



If you've never heard ASU before, this is easily a great place to start. If you're already a fan (or a diehard like me), then you'll love this record. Here's to another 10 years of ASU records...keep them coming, Ian!"