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CD REVIEW: Bill Popp and The Tapes - My Lonely Mind
By Don Sechelski - 08/07/2008 - 09:17 PM EDT

Artist: Band:Bill Popp and The Tapes
Album: My Lonely Mind
Label: 121st Street Records
Website: http://billpopp.com
Genre: Pop/Rock
Technical Grade: 9/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
CD Review:

In the press release accompanying Bill Popp's new release with his band The Tapes, Bill talks about his recovery from a near fatal heart attack. His CD, My Lonely Mind, reflects his joyful attitude toward life. Bill plays keyboards and percussion as well as vocals. He is joined on this album by The Tapes consisting of Gerry Barnas playing an excellent guitar. He also whistles and provides some backing vocals as well as lead vocal and songwriting on I See Your Face. Roger Foster plays drums, percussion and backing vocals. Mary Noecker plays bass and according to the CD credits, provided visuals.

The Tapes' tight, hook-driven rhythms and sweet harmonies are a perfect setting for Popp's tenor voice. The songs are a celebration of life and love. The first cut, Paradise, recounts Popp's awakening to a new life after his near brush with death. In the second cut, Perfect Idiot, Barnas' driving guitar and the rhythm section of Foster and Noecker support Popp in a near perfect pop delight. The harmonies become almost Beatlesque as does the melody of Popp's composition, Heartbeat. Even Barnas' guitar is reminiscent of Harrison on this cut.

The first lines of Love And Lust reflect the energy of the entire project, "Give me lust and love and all of that stuff, I live my life only for the good times" The band rocks into high gear while Popp sings about girls who "don't wait all night before they take chances." Popp is the primary songwriter on the CD and his songs are hook rich both lyrically and melodically. The album finishes with Popp on piano accompanied by Martynas Svegzda Von Bekker's violin on Emily Lives In Ireland, a departure from the pop rock of the other songs. This sweet ballad has an Irish feel which is heightened by Popp's tenor vocal.

My Lonely Mind by Bill Popp and The Tapes is filled with bright, singable pop songs, tight harmonies and solid rhythms.




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