Search - Sun 60 :: Headjoy

The real deal

Orval Zehr | Seattle, WA USA | 11/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the purposes of this review, I'm going to refer to Sun 60 in the present tense. In actuality, the band broke up after releasing this album.
'60 could be loosely described as a cross between Sheryl Crow and Pearl Jam. Like PJ, they're a scrappy rock band with diverse influences. Like Crow, they retain a sense of melody and fun. Like both of these artists, '60 believe in consistency."Headjoy" is overflowing with good material and there are no real weak points or filler tracks.
There is also a certain underlying sexuality to the music, similar to Elastica. The lead singer chews her words and uses her limited range to maximum emotional effect, giving her all in a way that reminds me of Ian Atbury.
Speaking of Astbury, this album sounds a little like The Cult's earthy self titled album. The songs tend to pulse and jam out. Most of them improve noticeably after the first minute, which suggests that they were all recorded with the band playing toghether, taking a proudly home made approach. The effect is that even the gentler numbers feel like workouts. Call it the live album for people who hate live albums.
Approaching the album with no real expectations, it took me by surprise. It has personality, and it's hard not to be charmed by the engaging lyrics and simple melodic hooks. I suppose that for all of this, my interest in it has less to do with the music than it does with the context in which I'm listening to it. It's so refreshing to hear uncontrived, gutsy music when you're surrounded with coreographed bubblegum music on the one side and choreographed rage on the other.
I recomend this album to people who miss original rock."