Treble Charger
MAYBE IT'S ME
RCA
The word "pop" carries a lot of meaning. It could accurately describe the sound a zit makes when you squeeze it. Or, it also could describe the type of music you listen to.
If you are currently enthralled by such bands as Pavement and the Posies, then Treble Chargers debut RCA Records' release MAYBE IT'S ME is perfect for your snap, crackle and pop musical library.
With addictive, catchy hooks and dripping harmonies that could brighten up even the most nihilistic person's day, you can hear these guys smiling as they sing and play their instruments. Not that their music has any similarities, but for some reason the band from Tom Hanks' movie THAT THING THAT YOU DO does come to mind.
Three of Treble Charger's four members have been friends since high school and two since elementary school. So, these guys have gone through a lot together: the aforementioned zits, girls, and Canadian Football. Sharing guitar and vocal duties, Greig Nori and Bill Priddle maintain the alternative/pop sound while bassist Rosie Martin keeps the bass simple and solid. Newcomer Trevor McGregor is so new that he doesn't even appear on MAYBE IT'S ME. Original drummer Morris Palter was dismissed halfway through the recording sessions. Mike Levesque (Julianna Hatfield) filled in and helped finish the CD.
"Friend Of Mine" starts the album off with a blistering guitar. Wasting no time, Treble Charger get to work quickly inducing sticky hooks and attractive melodies that could get even the hardest metal fan to enjoy the moment. This particular track features a redundant guitar that stays comfortably in the background during the refrain, but once things slow down, it comes right out at you. Lyrically, I will not call you a friend of mine may not change the world, but it is something we can all relate to.
What keeps MAYBE IT'S ME fresh is the variety of melodies. Even though, as a whole, the CD doesn't experiment with different styles of music, each track does possess individuality. This is quite apparent with "How She Died." To reiterate, it's a different take on their pop sound.
One track that screams of Teenage Fanclub is "Stupid Thing To Say." This simple, straightforward style acts as home base for Treble Charger's pop sound. With Priddle's high, whiny voice he sings, If you're so tired of you maybe it's me/Please don't say a stupid thing to me/I can't enjoy it now. You won't be bored with this track.
By the sixth track, "Fade," you are completely engulfed into the Treble Charger sound. Each song keeps your interest, but as soon as the next tune comes on, you easily forget about the last number. This isn't necessarily negative as much as an insight into their pop/alternative sound. With a celestial, cutting guitar solo in the middle (Soundgarden shoved through a pop machine), "Fade" features the decent lyrics, I can fade that way,/I know I finally worked it out, which carries the tune until the last distorted guitar notes fade away.
The highly orchestrated "Christ Is On The Lawn" features a mellotron, baby grand piano and slide guitar. With a Beatles/Radiohead sound, the tune sucks the life out of you and forces a repeat listening just to make sure you heard everything. The lyrics are almost eerie in nature. Move your mouth the same/Just repeat the name/As if it's wrong to you/That's an odd request/Try to do what's best/ When you're told it's true/ Wouldn't you believe/ Some-one's bound to see. Not bad for those desperately searching for inner meaning and guidance in this troubled world we call home.
With the current musical scene littered with mostly punk/pop and alternative/pop bands, Treble Charger have the potential to make it big. Once again, a newcomer could end up taking credit for a sound that they recreated, instead of created on their own. Nevertheless, MAYBE IT'S ME is solid piece of work that should be a must for any pop fans out there.
BaCk
Email: tc4uandme@hotmail.com
