THE DAVENPORTS - Speaking Of The Davenports
Mother West/US
A couple of cuts into this album and it is obvious that the Davenports are walking down a pop trail blazed by Fountains Of Wayne and Cherry Twister, blending 60's and 70's AM radio pop melodies with enough rock spark to fulfill modern listening requirements. The Davenports equal those great bands, casting their pop net far and wide to create a work that is familiar yet original, cohesive and memorable. This album has it all: Wilson-worthy sunshine and clouds (the bubbly 'Why Should I Bother' and the haunting 'You're On Your Own', which has a terrific string arrangement); textbook power pop ('Heather Is A Genius', 'All Hands On her Advance'); pretty piano pieces (the Henry Gross/Eric Carmen-ish 'Keep Me Away From Gary' and the Ben Foldsy 'Nowhere After All'); and even a nod to Nesmith/Clark-style country-rock ('Dog Run'). Scott Klass's wonderful vocals range from angelic to sardonic, and carry off the various styles in fine fashion. Moreover, the lyrics are plenty clever, particularly on the most FOW-ish cut, 'Object In The Mirror'. This should come as no surprise, as Klass has worked with FOW's Chris Collingwood in the past. A must have record!
MIKE BENNETT (9)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
To imagine that your favorite musicians from your favorite bands would come together to make a "supergroup", is a dream of most diehard music fans. On a small indie level, New York's The Davenports give us a sample of what this musical adultery can sound like. With members having played in such popular pop acts as Fountains Of Wayne, They Might Be Giants, and Candy Butchers, The Davenports bring solid songwriting skills and influence to their debut, SPEAKING OF THE DAVENPORTS. Most of the songs contain sing-along, Beatle-esque multi-voice harmonies, traditional pop chord changes and structure that are also tonally reminiscent of the bands whom these boys came from. Stand out tracks include the opening song, 'Girls Night Out' and the melodic 'All Hands On Her Advance'. At the same time, a couple piano based songs, 'Keep Far Away From Her Gary' and 'Nowhere After All', sound like they could have been outtakes from a Ben Folds Five disc. Overall, the disc cleverly waxes and wanes in tempo, melody, and mood, creating a venerable first production for these pop adulterers. Let it be heard that musical adultery is a good thing and should happen more often.
THOMAS GALVEZ (8)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If you are into pure pop on the musical legacy of the Fab Four, with a clear 2000 production feel, then look no further as this CD is for you. The Davenports are a foursome from the New York/New Jersey area, consisting of singer-songwriter Scott Klass, drummer Todd Foulsham, bassist Danny Weinkauf and guitarist Sam Mcilvane. Although this album is their debut, the band members are definitely not new kids on the block. They all worked with musicians and bands like Chris Collingwood, Fountains Of Wayne, Candy Butchers and They Might Be Giants in the past. SPEAKING OF THE DAVENPORTS is a nice collection of mostly intimate, but catchy and harmony-filled songs. It's a very consistent record with no real outstanding tracks (although 'I'll Come Down' comes close to being one), but then there isn't a bad song on it either. It's simply a very enjoyable CD with 12 good sounding melodies. If you like good pop music, like that of contemporary artists Fountains Of Wayne, Owsley or Ben Folds Five, then this CD will definitely please your ears also!
PATRICK BECKERS (7)
www.motherwest.com