Boston`s Splendid Nobodies fire off their sophomore release with rollicking gusto and whip-smart cleverness. The opening track, "Sometimes You Run", flies by the seat of its pants and has some subtle arrangement surprises, including an almost Beatle-esque backing "ooooo" vocal. They may hit the ground running on this "strange trip" but they soon settle into roots-cool cruise mode as they explore rocky American musical terrain with what amounts to a V-8 engine. The peppy slant-6 sound of their 2001 release, Coming Back Around, is left eating dust as the band has found and edgier sound, piloted by its two primary songwriters, vocalist/guitarist Paul Kearnan and guitarist Mike Leavey. Recorded and mixed by Pete Weiss (Weisstronauts, Charlie Chesterman, Willard Grant), the 10 songs here swing from powerhouse numbers packed with catchy hooks and classic pop charm to acoustic musings full of hip rural and ragged charm. - Robinson, Miles Of Music (self-released)
