Reeve Oliver - Touchtone Inferno!!!

Band: Reeve Oliver
Album: Touchtone Inferno!!!
Genre: Pop Punk/Rock
Label: Summertone

Tracks:
1. Yer Motion
2. I Want Burns
3. Reason to Leave
4. Cheat Me Slowly
5. Sunshine
6. Clean Up, Mission Hills
7. Goldiloches
8. Open Face Darrell
9. Endless Bummer
10. Wings
12. Madachu
13. The Leg

In the 1960s, Decca Records turned down a label contract with The Beatles, a band who soon after became one of the most influential bands in music history. It goes without saying that they probably are still regretting that decision to this day. Much too often, major labels do not pay attention to great artists who are right in front of them.

In 2006, Capitol Records signed up-and-comers, Reeve Oliver. Less than a year later, Capitol merged with Virgin Records and the band was dropped from the label. In 2007, they took “Touchtone Inferno!!!,” an album they recorded under their contract with Capitol to San Diego based indie label, Apple Danish/Summertone Records. Although they may not be the Beatles, Reeve Oliver really displays a certain something on Touchtone Inferno!!! and Capitol will soon be hurting, when the boys of Reeve Oliver have hit it big.

The 12 song new release begins strong with “Yer Motion,” which is actually a rerecorded version of the song. With better mixing, this particular version of the song is a great way to start an album. The second song, “I Want Burns,” is another rerecorded tune. With a pop-punk like, catchy guitar melody, it is safe to say that this song is one that will repeat over and over again in your head. My personal favorite is “Sunshine.” Sean O’Donnell’s light guitar riffs through the course of the song have an incredible effect on the overall sound and style of the song. When you add in his quiet but steady vocals, it seems to create a haunting type of effect. The album ends solidly with “The Leg,” which actually begins with a marching band type of intro. Bassist, Otis Bartholameu, provides a heavy core sound for the duration of the album, covering for the lack of the typical second guitarist that most bands in the genre have. Drummer, Brad Davis, plays what comes off as rather simple rhythms, making the pop punk feel even more enforced. I should also note that the lyrical content of this album also stuck out to me. O’Donnell’s lyrics are both, real and natural, and seem to interlock with the music perfectly.

At first listen, I was convinced this was not just a 3-piece band. The chemistry of all three members really shines through on Touchtone Inferno!!!. I can say with confidence that not many bands could pull off the type of sound these three have created on this album. Comparatively speaking, Reeve Oliver sounds very similar to Jimmy Eat World, musically. Vocally, O’Donnell sounds like a combination of Rivers Cuomo (of Weezer) and Ace Enders (formerly of The Early November). With the right mixing and a high quality recording (which was done with Capitol Records’ funding), this album has quickly become one of my favorites.


**Written by our contributing writer: Meaghan Allen**
GRADE: 9/10
MYSPACE