Velvet Crush
Teenage Symphonies to God (550 Music) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) 1/2
Here’s about the millionth attempt to remake Big Star’s secret 1974 classic, “Radio City,” a collection of great pop songs that sound just twisted enough to seem spontaneous. Unlike other “Radio City” admirers, the Velvet Crush not only rocks the melodies and draws blood on the ballads, but gets at the underlying sadness that permeated Big Star’s tunes. With Mitch Easter’s production assistance, Velvet Crush augments its power-trio crash ‘n’ chime with pedal steel and discrete strings. Only a cover of Matthew Sweet’s “Something’s Gotta Give” sounds less than stellar; ironically, not since Sweet’s “Girlfriend” has there been a major-label American pop album as heady as this.
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Ratings: Excellent (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)(STAR) Good (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) Fair (STAR)(STAR) Poor (STAR)
