Silver Gorilla

The Gravel Pit returned again in 1999 to put "power" back into power pop. This Boston foursome's loud pop-punk recalls the early days of Cheap Trick, when loud (not just fuzzy, but loud) guitars could exist in catchy pop songs. And catchy is a good way to describe the Gravel Pit's brand of loud pop; the album's speedy opener "I Climb (Up His Tree)" sets the tone and the album rarely slows down throughout. "Connecticut" Jed Parish's distinctive strained vocal style and Farfisa organ touches give the band an added touch of personality, especially on songs like the first single, "Favorite." The Elvis Costello influences are still undeniable, but that only helps enhance the disc, especially since the songs are far from retreads. While this disc moves a little more out into left field than The Gravel Pit Manifesto, it still maintains the band's pop roots, most notably on the Boston radio hit "When Will Our Bucket Come up Dry?" That song, with its swinging countrified choruses is a true diamond in the rough gem. Altogether, this album is likely to please fans of the Gravel Pit's prior releases.