Music Go Music: Expressions (Secretly Canadian)

Music Go Music

Expressions

Secretly Canadian

Oct 26, 2009 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Despite their mysterious aliases—band members go by Kamer Maza, Gala Bell, and TORG (yes, all caps)—the musicians of this Los Angeles trio sure know how to craft a pop song. Expressions compiles the nine tracks that made up the band's three 12" singles into one, unified debut album. And the greatness of those singles still resonates when played together as one whole-album trip. Generally-speaking, Music Go Music play Scandinavian-style pop music that owes perhaps a bit too much to ABBA and, at times, is so over-the-top that it threatens to go completely over the edge. Yet, the music is thrilling and demonstrates as much throughout all of Expressions' 45 minutes. "Light of Love" deals with the idyllic nature of love through über-melodic tunefulness. "Reach Out" starts out as vaguely heavy pseudo-metal crossed with the sound of late-'70s Heart before segueing into disco beats and a danceable prog-rock groove. And "Just Me" is a glorious sing-a-long of pop bliss that would qualify as a guilty pleasure if you weren't singing along so loudly. Add to this tales of "torrid starlit bacchanals of wild-eyed delight," and what's not to like? Music Go Music has created the perfect pop song, played nine times over. Now bring on album number two. (www.myspace.com/musicgomusic)

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