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From Basement Life, August 26, 2002...
The Bigger Lovers
Sometimes, regardless of the so-called innovations always rumored to be taking place in the rock world, there’s just no beating the sound of a Fender guitar plugged into a vintage, tube-driven amp and played capably and passionately by artists who are more concerned with the act of songwriting than the constant desire to explore uncharted musical terrain. On their new full-length, Honey In The Hive, Philadelphia’s Bigger Lovers keep things refreshingly simple, and the resulting eleven songs are nothing if not easy to like. The guitars are crystal clear, the drumming is tight, the bass is only noticeable when it should be, and the vocals are incredibly easy on the ears, with Bret Tobias and Scott Jefferson teaming up for some of the better harmonies this side of, say Destiny’s Child. Add to all those things Brian McTear’s masterful production (When is that guy going to start getting the recognition he deserves?), and you’ve got a big, heaping pile of power-pop that will appeal to fans of heavy hitters like Cheap Trick and Big Star, or, for those of you who are completely sick to death of these classic comparisons, think Silver Scooter or Teenage Fanclub. More than anything else, though, just think about how pure rock music is supposed to be, and how hard it actually is to find a gimmick-free record these days — then be glad that you’ve finally found it in Honey In The Hive. (Mike Conklin)
Honey in the Hive
(Yep Roc)