Search - Dennis Phelps :: 27

Hook-filled Power Pop that Delivers Lyrically

Jeffrey Anbinder | New York, NY | 06/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In some ways, Dennis reminds me of Marshall Crenshaw, in that his songs are full of grabby hooks that you can't get out of your head for days. The main difference is that although the lyrics are deep and meaningful, and Dennis sings them beautifully, the music feels just the tiniest bit cold.Overall, though, Dennis has done a great job of taking a friend's lyrics and realizing them as fully-developed songs. The lyrics themselves are worth buying the CD, which is why I was a little disappointed that they're not printed in the booklet - but you'll probably listen to this disc often enough to know all twenty songs by heart anyway.The real gem here is "Is There Something," a charmer about a pick-up that doesn't go quite the way you might expect. But it's not the only song with little twists of irony at the end, and that's half the fun of the CD.I wish I knew what happened to Dennis and when his next CD might come out, but he seems to be in hiding for now. C'mon out, Dennis! You've got great stuff!"