Break the Spell, Etc. EP

Opening with a vibe somewhere between the Who's "Substitute" and Elvis Costello's "Peace, Love and Understanding," Boy Wonder's title track combines Paula Kelley's cute, heady vocals with bright guitar and airy Beach Boy harmonies. Driven by Bruce Caporal's corporal drum rolls, "The End of My Line" opens up into a playful bass and piano tune with chimey guitar accents. Comprised greatly of a set of mellow and thin two-voice verses that resolve to the same repetitive chorus, "Over Your Head" has a promising Tommy gun drum break that never really amounts to much of a change. "X-Large" is a peepy popper featuring doo wop-py backing peeps and a driving rhythm matched by equally paced vocals. Definitely the most fun song on the EP. However, don't forget the honorable tribute to Flo and Eddie through the Turtles' classic "Elenore." Bringing the album back to the realm of the very familiar, Boy Wonder's rendition is full, true, and well-conceived, demonstrating their lack of pretense and willingness to tip their hat to their musical heroes.