The First of Too Many (Expanded Edition)

Jamie Hewlett announced his intentions to combine the sheer joy of great pop music with his unique, personality-filled creations on the sleeve artwork of this release. His subsequent formation of Gorillaz with Damon Albarn and Dan the Automator has an intriguing historical antecedent with this 16-song powerhouse of youthful and exuberant guitar pop. Early-90s Britain spawned a youth subculture as equally at home with Judge Dread from the 2000 AD comic book as they were with a music scene that saw the punk, crusty, rave, and rocker tribes united in the pursuit of fun. Loosely allied with kindred spirits Snuff, Mega City Four, and Les Thugs, the band delivers with a skill honed by countless live shows. Equally informed by the Who, the Buzzcocks, the Replacements, and the nascent rave scenes emphasis on stamina and bliss,The First of Too Many is the perfect introduction to the work of Senseless Things. Never self-conscious, the Twickenham four-piece seemed to glory in being the "cheese-eating fans" they would mention in their song "Homophobic Asshole." Buoyed by the crashing guitar work of Ben Harding, the album rips wide open with "Everybodys Gone," a youthful anthem with Mark Keds vocals placed squarely alongside the instruments and never overwhelming the music. If this is bubblegum pop (14 of the 16 songs clock in at under three and a half minutes), it is also in equal parts gobstopping hard rock. Highlights include "Everybodys Gone," "Best Friend," and "Radio Spiteful." ~ Michael M. Murphy