I had not yet discovered good music when Viva Voce released their debut full length, "Hooray For Now" back in mid '98. In fact, when I got that cd several years later, I still wasn't into good music. As a result, I did not appreciate that album at the time. And then a year or so ago I pulled the dusty cd off my shelf and settled it into my cd player. And it totally clicked. It had what I would call a "wall of guitars." They buzzed and fuzzed wickedly, yet didn't mask Anita Robinson's vocals.

A lot of time has passed since that release, which didn't do so well sales-wise, hit music stores. I figured they had gone the way of the buffalo, as so many new acts do. Then last year I heard they were releasing a split ep with Soul Junk. I was surprised, but kept my ear out for the band and a new full length. Low and behold, it is here.

Being familiar with their old full length, "Lovers, Lead The Way" was a pretty big shock. Gone is the wall of guitars that dominated "Hooray For Now." The surprise threw me the first few listens. I don't mind change, but warn me first, darn it!

To label the sound, they've gone to an indie-pop sound. It feels like instead of sitting down and saying, "Hey, let's write pop songs," they have simply matured leaps and bounds. The songs are catchy as anything while really varying up the sounds. They don't hit redundant ruts from song to song. Occationally within a specific song they will run a chorus or hook into the ground, however, they are good enough that it doesn't become super annoying.

While not being a typical pop band, they do have that ability to sing a sing and have it stick in your head, hence the pop label. Each and every song on this cd is 100% catchy. I will listen to a few songs during work, and then find myself humming them four hours later. Which is a pity for other people, as I have no humming talent.

Indie kids are pretty much scared away from music with the pop label. I would suggest to them that they check out this record. Not all pop music is bad music.

peace.