We’re big fans, here at the trellis’, of artists such as the Byrds, Fairport Convention and Simon & Garfunkel. I’m thinking of that more acoustic-based sound that those type of groups employed from time to time that paid a debt to both European folk and celtic music alike but were still grounded in what could be termed as rock with a little bit of pop to it. That’s why it should come as no surprise to those who are already enlightened that I’d be a big fan of this record by Pop Art, who formed in Southern California in 1983.The core of the group were the three Steinhart brothers (Dave, Steve and Rich) who formed the Stonegarden label shortly after they formed for the sole intention of putting out Pop Art’s records. Their debut long player, A Perfect Mental Picture, showed up in 1985 and it’s just a delightful listen from start to finish with lots of ringing guitars that lend a certain amount of romanticism to the overall mood of the record. In fact, it’s this simplistic approach to the guitar interplay and intricacies that helps A Perfect Mental Picture not sounding dated in the least some twenty years after its release and it probably still won’t in another twenty years.
While many consider Pop Art’s follow-up release, the more electric-based Snap, Crackle, Pop Art, to be the band’s high-point, I’m gonna have to go and give this one the slight nod as it does a better job of stirring some weird type of longing within myself for crisp but sunny autumn days that work perfectly for records such as this.
Pop Art “The Party” (mp3)
1 comments:
Oooooh....just found this post after googling upon hearing a bit of Pop Art on a tape of my college radio show from '85....I have October Wind but am thrilled to d/l The Party.
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