Search - Various Artists :: Hot Rods to Hell

Tight, bright, light pop songs with a bittersweet edge ...

04/11/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I saw the Maroons come out on stage, they were just some unknown opening band that was going to delay the main act for me and keep me up late. But the minute they started playing, their infectious, bittersweet 3- and 4-minute pop/rock songs drew me right in. And when they left the stage 45 minutes later, I felt as if I could listen to them play all night. This album is a gem -- particularly tracks 2 (Wake Me, which flowers in just the way its name suggests), 7 (Afterthoughts, which builds to a head in a way that reminds me of falling in love), 8 (Medium Grey, a pop/rock song that has "hit single" written all over it) and 9 (Fond of Saying, a full-tilt pop rave). If you dig bands/performers such as Faster Tiger, The Young Fresh Fellows, Heavenly, The Posies and Devin Hill, you'll no doubt enjoy this Portland quartet's tasty pop/rock confections."