5 Responses to “The Return to Form Black Magick Party”

1. Willaim E. Tynor III 10/02/09 23:59

   

   Hipster dance rock? Maybe. Heck, this cat sneezes more hipness in one kleenex than most us do in a lifetime. But listening to this record I am convinced this former Ladytron contributor gets it and is not citing T. Rex as a major influence just to come off pseudo-hip. There is some true grit and imagination in Pop Levi’s songwriting. “Sugar Assault Me Now” blew my mind and my speakers when I first downloaded it from Insound’s “Free Recommended MP3″ weekly email (jocks and gamers may recognize the song from EA’s NHL 08). Purchased the album and was immediately hooked. There are some catchy tunes on this disc. Even my four year old has been singing and dancing to “Pick Me Uppercut”. Songs like “Flirting ” and “Skip Ghetto” remind me of the soundtrack work Shudder to Think did years ago that overshadowed much of their latter albums. And “Blue Honey” comes onto me like some kind of hypnotic electro-lounge number that could be heard in some metropolis dive on the only weekday night when 20-somethings and 40-somethings can mingle comfortably. A stellar debut full length from an artist that the English press has already hailed as a future mega-star.
   Rating: 4 / 5

2. Sister Safety Pin 10/02/10 02:52

   

   Pop Levi is an amazing artist and absolutely incredible live. If you listen to nothing else, do yourself a favor and listen to the songs ‘Flirting’ and ‘Sugar Assault Me’. Then after you are properly infatuated, by the cd.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. Rob. Charlton 10/02/10 05:07

   

   Pop Levi has me betwixt and between. Some days I love this album. On others, I can’t stand it.

   This is at times almost bubblegum pop, done very well. There are elements of T-Rex, but also hints of techno. The tracks vary widely in sound and feel, and there does seem to be plenty of evidence to suggest Pop Levi is very inventive. From experience, this is a good party record. If you’re in the mood for melody, harmony and meaningful lyrics though, go elsewhere.
   Rating: 3 / 5

4. Jarrod Haze 10/02/10 07:56

   

   So I stumbled into Schubas in Chicago one day and the next band up was Pop Levi. Aside from having incredible stage presence, awkward dance moves that have to be seen to appreciate, and an overall fun vibe to the music he manages to record a fine album as well.

   From the catchy yet grinding hooks of Blue Honey and Sugar Assault Me Now, to the sweeter From the Day that You Were Born, and the always fun Dollar Bill Rock… I don’t know what else to say. Every song on here is entirely enjoyable and always good to listen to, but all of them for completely different reasons. The unifying theme being unique, yet entirely familiar all at once.

   He’s into numerology as well, so there’s a lot of that going on in here. I guess this can be called “true” math rock.

   On his website you can preview some songs from his album coming out in April, which will be sure to impress. (along with some weird videos and random blogs… an interesting, creative individual this Poppy is) He has taken his sound to a new level, and if you like this album at all the next one will be a must, as well as catching a live performance.

   37
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. Jarrod Haze 10/02/10 09:44

   

   So I stumbled into Schubas in Chicago one day and the next band up was Pop Levi. Aside from having incredible stage presence, awkward dance moves that have to be seen to appreciate, and an overall fun vibe to the music he manages to record a fine album as well.

   From the catchy yet grinding hooks of Blue Honey and Sugar Assault Me Now, to the sweeter From the Day that You Were Born, and the always fun Dollar Bill Rock… I don’t know what else to say. Every song on here is entirely enjoyable and always good to listen to, but all of them for completely different reasons. The unifying theme being unique, yet entirely familiar all at once.

   He’s into numerology as well, so there’s a lot of that going on in here. I guess this can be called “true” math rock.

   On his website you can preview some songs from his album coming out in April, which will be sure to impress. (along with some weird videos and random blogs… an interesting, creative individual this Poppy is) He has taken his sound to a new level, and if you like this album at all the next one will be a must, as well as catching a live performance.

   37
   Rating: 5 / 5