The 88’s Over and Over is everything I never thought I’d find in a pop rock band’s CD again in my lifetime. Such a bold statement, right? It’s true.
When they performed “All 'cause of You” on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in January, I was there. Well, not there exactly, but I tuned in. And I was glad I had. I’d been listening to them for a couple weeks prior to their appearance, but nothing prepared me for how much I was going to like them.
That’s the thing about The 88 – they’re so very likable. I don’t normally heap praise on today’s pop rockers. I'm something of a closeted music snob and rarely venture out of my cozy little Blues niche. However, the 88 earned an exemption largely because they’re damn good. Good enough that their appeal transcends any generation gap that might exist between my kids and I; gaps that might exist between my friends' standard music tastes and mine.
Over and Over is the perfect collection in that it combines instant pop hits with hook-laden, well-written songs evoking their classic rock influences of The Beatles, The Kinks, and more than hinting at a background rich in the music anyone over the age of 30 should have listened to while growing up. For good reason, too. Founding members Keith Slettedahl and Adam Merrin are deeply rooted in the music of yesterday. But, instead of copying the hits of the past, they pay homage to them by running the music through the shower, dressing it up in new clothes, and offering it up to the masses of today with catchy lyrics and wonderfully crafted instrumentation. Then there’s Slettedahl’s voice and the backing vocals – absolute perfection. Slettedahl has that retro sound down pat, but he owns every word, every note. And, by the time he’s halfway through a single song, he owns us.
Most CDs beg for deconstruction and cries of protest over the inclusion of certain tracks. Not so with Over and Over. Each song belongs exactly where it is. Every note has been lovingly nurtured and developed for placement on this collection of stunning pop rock goodness.
As previously mentioned, this is music I can share with my kids. I’ve also played it for my over-30 friends and nary a one has looked at me in askance. Everyone gets it. Everyone. That’s a rarity in today’s music. But that’s part of this band’s charm, and it'll play a large part in their ultimate success. They will succeed – wildly. The 88’s already garnered a great deal of attention from the late night talk show hosts, appearing on the aforementioned Late Late Show, Carson Daly, and Jimmy Kimmel, as well as having songs from Over and Over featured in movies and on television.
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