Search - Splitsville :: Repeater

Baltimore trio deliver THE power pop album of 1998.

10/02/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 3rd full length from Greenberry Wood refugees Splitsville starts off just like their 1st two: with a blast of pure power pop adrenaline. As before, the power portion is tempered with their innate grasp of pop history, and hooks that might be more accurately described as claws. Like Nick Lowe in the late 70's, Splitsville are masters of the recycled hook. However, like Nick Lowe, their appropriations come off as more tribute than rip off. "Manna" recalls Cheap Trick's most brilliant moments. Tricky time changes are utilized to good effect in "The 1st Thing About Regret", as well as lyrics that aren't the normal pop fluff, "I love you, you love me" variety. Dig this: "You'll stay the way you've always been, you beautiful and selfish s***. You should have been a pair of pairs of ragged paws upon the doghouse floor.". The narrator in "Master Of Space And Time" tells his girl how much more obsessive he could be if only he could stop time from marching forward. The story unfolds while the sound of a clicking clock keeps the time like a demented metronome, and the song fades out with the most beautifully creepy keyboard chorus I've ever heard. I could go on and on but what's the point. The bottom line is this:From top to bottom this is brilliant, 3-part 'Everly' harmonies, crushing 'Raspberry' power cords, whisper to a scream 'Pixie' dynamics, and exquisite 'Beatles' songcraft, that any self respecting fan of rock 'n roll should own."

A soild release

Sean82 | Ellicott City, Maryland United States | 09/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"if your into power pop, ie superdrag, raspberries, or even the pixies you'll love this album. You can hear all the infulences...from the beatles, to the beach boys, to even the ramones. Songs like dot com, and joan of arc, and master of space and time, show you they have a niche for making great catchy songs, and adding there own bit of orginality. Hopefuly the next album will be a bit more experimental, but for now, this album rocks. It may not be a pet sounds, or a head trip in every key type album, but is really worth the time and effort to hear this talented and up comming band"

Their Second Best Release

JOHN SPOKUS | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States | 08/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Repeater has masterful production,solid playing,singing (hey my bandmates and I [The Beltways]helped out with the backups on Dixie Liquor And Beer)and writing. Another cool album from a very talented band. It's easily their second best release;Ultrasound still gets the 5 star rating from me just because of the "fun factor" of the tunes,but that's just my taste.Repeator does show some musical growth,but sometimes primitive is more "fun".If you are into indie pop you won't be dissappointed;this band is cream of the crop!!"