In Your Head, In Your Head, In Your Headset Set in Your Head

Frisbie is touring in the Midwest and I'm seriously considering the 90-minute drive to Iowa City.

April 03 Indianapolis, IN Spin Nightclub
April 04 St. Louis, MO Cruisin' Rte 66
April 12 Iowa City, IA The Picador
April 16 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall (w/ Poi Dog Pondering)

Reminder: their sophomore effort is no slump. Download here.

New Debut

Semi-legendary Chicago "Pop Music Critic" Jim DeRogatis writes about Frisbie, a great story of a band that almost was, almost wasn't, and definitely is again.

"I feel I can speak for Liam in this regard pretty safely when I say that neither one of us has ever had an experience like singing with the other," Frisbie said. "There are times where we feel about 17 feet tall singing harmony together."

Great album - must continue to revisit.

Squeezing Tupac From Peter Criss

Upon review of Frisbie's new New Debut, the material issue is whether derivativeness warrants merit or demerit. C'mon, we're talking power pop here! It's less about originality of melody than originality of execution. And wow, no cheap tricks here, my friends. Frisbie's execution is an exercise in perfection.

Who are Frisbie? They are a group of guys seemingly guided by voices of not only haunts of their hometown of Chicago, but of notable contemporaries as well. I was struck on numerous occasions by the ghost of Ellison clearly making his voice heard, especially on the stand-out track I Speak Your Mind. For a split second, I was resentful of the tragic reminder, but then I accepted the sheer nostalgic joy it evoked. Horns reminiscent of CTA and ELO flourishes balance perfectly with modern GBV melodies and Jellyfishy wit. Big stars they are not, but a Frisbie of a generation ago would undoubtedly be influencing the young poppers of today.

The recognition of Frisbie's greatness on New Debut is instant and exponentially more rewarding with each listen. "You're so fucking beautiful" ... "Yes impossible everyone." I dare you to try to shake them off, but why would you want to? The album clocks in mercifully at about 40 minutes - the quicker to reward yourself all over again. I finally know why the repeat function exists.

Sure, Frisbie sounds familiar, but on New Debut, familiarity hardly breeds contempt, it breeds a classic. Relish in the familiar and enjoy - over and over and over again.



iTunes
CD Baby
Not Lame
FrisbieSpace
DigFrisbie

Previously...

New Debut

Touch the baby for even more great power pop. Frisbie's New Debut is out today too. Previously...

Yes! Impossible, Everyone

This is why this blog exists. The great Chicago power pop tradition continues with the new release by Frisbie called New Debut. Unfortunately, it doesn't hit stores until July 17 so you're going to have to get a taste at theirspace or check out some of their older music at iTunes.

Testimonials about their music from theirspace:

"One of the best, most ambitious pop bands in America." --Salon.com

"One of the strongest pop CDs this year, if not the last several years." --Associated Press

"Those who like their pop music melodic, crisp and refreshingly sincere will be immediately taken with The Subversive Sounds of Love." --Billboard

"Subversive's tunes crawl inside your head and refuse to leave." --VH1.com

"The Power-Pop Album of the year." --Chicago Tribune

Check back here in a month and my guess is that I'll have more on Frisbie.

MP3: Frisbie - New Debut & SFB (scroll down via Harmony In My Ears)