POP EVIL---UP CD REVIEW

​Let me start off by saying that POP EVIL has to be one of my favorite REAL American rock bands. I first got introduced to them back in 2008 when I heard  the band’s single 100 IN A 55 fom the album LIPSTICK ON THE MIRROR. From that instance the band has grown into a mature powerful rock band. Songwriting wise they have grown leaps in bounds and conveys real stories through lush and compassionate lyrics. On the bands newest release UP they have blown the roof off lyrically, musically and production wise in my opinion. Producer Adam Kasper clearly got what the band was aiming for and put so much depth, layers and overall smoothness to each and every track. This is the bands 4th major label album and eONE music better take this album to new heights for this band because they have a gem with UP!
 
So with all the kudos to the production lets talk about the nitty gritty of what makes the album spark and that is the songwriting and music. POP EVIL you shine with uptmost quality, making this album a adventure through each track with new vibes, emotions, and attitude. Each track twists and turns with beauty in words, to harder edgy rock, to moody spacey ambience and just raw gushing rock sound,  but still leaving that powerful POP EVIL sound we all know and love.
 
DEAD IN THE WATER is a track that intrigued me first, begins gentle, kicks you in the teeth and then those melodic vocals just wraps everything together. The chorus has harmony that makes you want to sing a long. The guitar riff just makes it so inviting. This song took me by storm and I thought nothing could out do this one but boy was I wrong. I then turned to WAYS TO GET HIGH its like a psychedlic trip with a 70’s vibe, groovable chorus, it is catchy as fuck and just dynamic overall. But wait another track could out do these two songs, yes, well hell yea!! GHOST OF MUSKEGON a more slow ambience, layered guitars, those magentic vocals and a punch to the gut with a solid sounding chorus!!! VENDETTA is a more harder in your face track that stirs up the vibe of the record but is a delicious add to the feel of the record.  IN DISARRAY gives you another harder faster beat track that gives you a more deeper vocal growl. The vocals on this album have a diverseness that just is a total A+ in my book.  FOOTSTEPS  a track that has been out as the bands single and video has helped the album UP debut #1 on soundscan Independent Artist top 200 chart. Why wouldnt it, it suits the bands message, sound and depth of the their music. Its rock, it has a bluesy feel, its unique and it shows this band can pretty much kick some major butt in the writing department.
 
I truly believe a rock band in every sense always needs that love ballad or sentimental track that moves you into emotion and for me POP EVIL did it with IF ONLY FOR NOW. For some crazy reason this song just moved me on a emotional level (yes I cried) and I would have to say every album of the bands “ballads” have really touched me but this one just blew me away lyrically, the tone and the smooth transition into the chorus is just a beautilful touch. Yet again the vocals are just pure beauty.
 
So UP has moved me, has gave me hope that great songwriters and bands are still out in the music world and if you havent had a chance to listen to POP EVIL start with UP and make your way backwards through the bands discography. This band has the sheer talent and should be bigger then that are!!