November 07, 2002

Lovejoy "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

Me, actually, but that's another issue. The issue at hand is pop--literate, fun, pleasant little pleasures for the ears. Lovejoy's got that in spades, and they're giving it away on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, if you bother to listen. And why should you bother? Because in this complicated, capitalistic world we live in, simple pleasures such as simple electro-pop just simply do not come around much any more.

For the most part, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? doesn't really stray from the tried and true British indie-pop formula, and that's just fine in my book. With a bit more synth than most indie-pop bands, Lovejoy doesn't sound like every other Bob Wratten project, and that's also a plus in my book. Quiet, acoustic moments tempered with synths and literate words and breathy and occasionally off-kilter vocals and a tinge of sadness sum up Lovejoy quite nicely. I like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? It's not too terribly sad, nor is it terribly generic-sounding indiepop. I really fell for "Don't You (Wish You'd Never Met Me?)," the sad ballad album closer, because sometimes it's nice to have a weeper.

Inside the cover, there's a little rant about capitalism, escapist game-shows on television, and society in general. Between that and the cover art that looks like a scene from Quadrophenia, I start to wonder if this is an indiepop concept album about capitalism? I couldn't really tell from the lyrics, though. I have a feeling, though, that Lovejoy would like nothing better than to give you a little bit of an alternative to all the dreck on the radio, and for that, they are to be commended. While they may not make you a millionaire, Lovejoy will enrich your day with their lovely pop stylings.

--Joseph Kyle

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