The Melloncollies

With equal doses winsomeness and irreverence, The Melloncollies are the latest in a hallowed line of Brooklyn-bred quintets to unfurl the witty sonic flag and punch back: yes, pop can be daring.

Their debut album, Goodbye Cruel World, finds the band-led by vocalist/guitarist Simon Erani and rounded out by Peter Claro (production/guitars), Darro Sandler(drums), Paul Briscoe (bass) and Rick Treese (keys), in fine lyric fettle, intent on matching their past successes with their latest salvo. Goodbye Cruel World has been called "an emotive exploration of feelings, failures, and fun," a powerful departure from rote pop and saccharine schmaltz.

The full-length finds Erani and co. in spirited form, with some having remarked that The Melloncollies "loosened their ties, rolled up their sleeves and went for it." The result is "a thrilling and moving album, loaded with personality and irreverence." Fit for iPods and ambitious auteurs alike, the work evokes the impact of the hallmark provocateurs: Dylan, Costello, Springsteen; The Proclaimers, The Romantics, The Wallflowers, Maroon 5, all have a place in shaping one of this year's most earnest releases.

Still, The Melloncollies' sound is overwhelmingly their own. They blend a spoonful of rock 'n' roll, a dollop of punk and a sprinkle of classic pop, all smeared with garage overtones. The sound first surfaced on The Mellonollies' unreleased album, Simple Naïve World, two tracks from which, "Simple Naïve Someone" and "Maybe Someday," were featured in Eight Days a Week, an independent film starring Keri Russel. Goodbye Cruel World, recorded in New York's Electric Lady Studio, follows in the same electric rubric, with major assistance from renowned sound engineers Josh Wilbur (Pink) and Brian Sperber (Moby).

At their essence, The Melloncollies find their root in "Melodies...Great melodies." Erani excels behind a guitar and piano, creating the anthems that inspire the frontman to continue to compose and record songs. As his work with The Melloncollies' becomes ever edgier and more sophisticated, the eventual follow-up to Goodbye Cruel World will surely turn out like its predecessor-timely and timeless at the same time. Recommended!

The Melloncollies - Simple Naive Someone
The Melloncollies @ MySpace


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SONG OF THE DAY: The Dodos - Fables
(from Time To Die, out September 15th on Frenchkiss Records)

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