It Had to Do With Love

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:40:28
Koufax: Robert Suchan (vocals, guitar); Jared Rosenberg (piano, organ, keyboards); Sean Crogan (organ, keyboards, synthesizer); Andrew Cameron (bass); Dave Shettler (drums, Theremin, background vocals). Additional personnel: Louis Castle (trumpet). Recorded at Mad Hatter, Silverlake, California and King Sound Studios, Hollywood, California in June 2000. Personnel: Robert Suchan (vocals, guitar); Louis Castle (trumpet); Jared Rosenberg (piano, organ, keyboards); Sean Grogan (organ, keyboards, synthesizer); Andrew Camerson (bass guitar); Dave Shettler (drums, Theremin, background vocals). Recording information: King Sound Studio, Hollywood, CA (06/2000); Mad Hatter Studios, Silverlake, CA (06/2000). Photographer: Larry Rosenberg. Practically void of guitars, this Koufax debut on the Heroes and Villains record label is curious testimony to the band's geek rock uniqueness. Koufax's retro concoctions -- featuring two keyboard players exchanging bells and whistles -- make for an interesting listen, but can sound contrived at times. Guitars and keyboards clearly represent an either/or proposition on It Had to Do With Love. This unfortunate outlook limits the record to infrequent hints at Koufax's potential. When the guitar is allowed into the synth-heavy mix, as in highlight cut "Going to Happen," the band's kitsch is diminished, and they sound like a top-notch indie unit. Koufax draws heavily from '70s synth-rock and pop-prog artists like ELO, Supertramp, and perhaps some early Genesis to piece together their keyboard excursions. Unlike Jeff Lynn, Peter Gabriel, and Rick Davies (each of whom made excellent use of any vocal space their band's layered mixes would allow,) Koufax vocalist Robert Suchan doesn't possess the range to enliven the band's near-guitarless tracks. These questionable arrangements have a stiffening affect on the material that results in a feeling of detachment. Suchan's nasal monotone is all indie rock, thereby creating a juxtaposition with his bandmate's synth-pop and prog leanings that almost works. It Had to Do With Love might sound silly, or even boring to hardcore emo or indie fans, however, listeners who treasure bolder, more eclectic recordings will enjoy this pop experiment. ~ Vincent Jeffries