Various Artists - Call Response (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Ladies and Gentlemen, California is floating in space.

KRossHoff@aol.com | swarthmore pa | 11/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In time as well, it seems. The light and breezy debut disc from Call and Response draws together timeless elements that could not have come from anywhere but California. Here again are the endless summer harmonies of the Beach Boys, the smart good-times funk of Sly Stone, the organ-driven psychedelica of the Doors, even in a few places the mellow pedal-twang of the early '70s country-rockers - all of it sounding as fresh as ever. Although they encorporate the "modern" sounds of retro synthesizers in a similar manner to groups such as Stereolab and Air, Call and Response take their stylistic cues almost exclusively from the sound and spirit of the Sunshine state in the sixties. They rarely sound dated, though - if anything is overly precious or cloying, it might be the lyrical content. The album contains giddy anthems to rollerskating and blowing bubbles and the perplexing line "I'm a lightbulb, yeah, and I'm on fire." When they accompany melodies as delicious as these, though, it doesn't matter if the words are nothing more than a description of a rainbow (as in the inane "Colors"). And when, thirty seconds into would-be-smash-hit "The Fool," the creamy a-capella doot-doot-doos give way to the melodious jazz-bass magic of Ms. Terri Loewenthal, who plays like the dimpled lovechild of Paul McCartney and Larry Graham, they'll be dancing on the beaches all summer long. (9/10)"

A Melodious Space Flight Over California

Bobby Mandrake | The Southern Fringes of the Kingdom of California | 10/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With the addition of two new tracks (When The Lights Are Out & All Night Long) this already superb album has only been knocked further up my list of favorite musical adventures. Call and Response's music describes a flight upon a friendly dragon's back above the coast of California. Armed with a funky bass/drum section and layered with delicate guitars and colorful keyboards, this quintet throws Beach Boy and Free Design vocal stylings into a magical bowl of honey and chocolate and spirals into the not too distant future (where our culture recognizes the importance of songwriting and melody). Call and Response can heal the world. They can cheer you up on a lonely friday night. Their music can speed you along on a roadtrip through the California desert. It can warm your heart and toss you headlong into a fevered crush.BUY THIS RECORD!"

Lighthearted breezy pop

Wickerlove | Canada | 08/09/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Breezy and lighthearted, yes, but creative and interesting enough where it maintains your attention. This is basically mature adult oriented pop, as opposed to glossy candy-coated pop for teens. Just think Laetitia Sadier's vocals/harmonies from Stereolab combined with an updated version of Pet Sounds era Beach Boys. Musically, the best and closest comparison is Tahiti 80 from France, with perhaps the same romping happy-go-lucky vibes of Beulah or The Bees. The sound is soft, subtle and most importantly, fun."

Pure Neo Bubblegum Bliss

E. A Solinas | 01/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Free Design, the Carpenters, the Jackson Five, Air, Stereolab, and Nico all get together to record lost tracks from Schoolhouse Rock, watch the All-Star Laff-a-Lympics, and maybe sip pina coladas in the back of a van somewhere."

I'm blowing bubbles

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 02/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Call & Response created some truly enchanting music in their self-titled debut -- sunny, bubbly music, overflowing with 1960s psychedelic charm. Okay, it's a bit on the sugary side. In the end its few flaws are overcome by catchy hooks and charming songs about California floating in space... in short, all the good things about an acid trip, with none of the side effects.

"I'm drinkin' stars up in the sky/You know who you are/I'm drivin' cars around your house/It seems so fun," Dan Judd croons in the opener, conjuring up a feeling of carefree youth and cool evenings by the beach. And that's not easy in a song where he then sings about bubbles going "pop."

Call and Response then meanders merrily into songs about rollerskating, daydreams and stars. The sound changes a bit from song to song -- "All Night Long" has a thrilling rock riff at the beginning -- but usually sticks to midtempo, catchy pop music, full of psychedelic swirls and poppy hooks. Not that it is simple musically -- in fact, it's difficult to keep up with all the layers.

Basically, Call & Response is catchy pop music that is keyed for all ages, rather than bubblegum. In fact, it is completely different from bubblegum fluff. For an idea of what I'm talking about, think pop music from the 60s, such as the Beatles, Zombies and Beach Boys, because those are on the same wavelength as Call & Response.

Their retro sound is reflected in the songs -- cheery, sunny, and a bit nostalgic, and flavored with odd ends of funk, rock and jazz. The basic rock lineup is augmented by flexy moog, swirling wurlitzer and some wicked marimbas, and Terry Loewenthal's flexible jazz basslines give an extra boost to an already catchy sound.

The one downside may be the lyrics on a few of the songs -- the bunny hop? Not such a good rhyme for "pop." The trippier songs are infinitely more fun, with smooth croons of "Even orange poppy lie/Speak to me in songs sung with my eyes/Watching sand where beaches lie/As do I," against a swooping psychedelic backdrop. Really, how much more fun can it be?

Call & Response give a retro twist to their enchanting pop music, injecting it with California sunshine and a bit of acid. Definitely worth checking out."

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