Hunk - Hunk II

 

March is the time that I enjoy most on I Don't Hear A Single. January's Best Albums Of 2022 only starts to be compiled in mid January to give every album from the year a fair chance, particularly the late releases. It is a big piece of work and I find reflecting much more exhausting than looking forward.

It means new January releases are reviewed way behind, more importantly the biggest influencer on listeners, the Most Popular Posts Of The Last 30 Days, is dominated by Best Of 2022 posts until the end of February. Any new visitor must wonder why 2022 is so dominant in March. I know how popular with readers they are, but it is wonderful when I look at the section and see mainly 2023 albums.

It also allows the new albums to be seen in the clear light of day and so we get to Hunk. The Catskill, New York quartet's second album follows approaching three decades after the debut on Geffen. Reformed at the start of lockdown, the results of that return are here.

Reunions can be an unrewarding for listeners for many reasons, but there isn't a hint of that here. When you've released a debut album so long ago, the band can be judged as a stand alone, new band if you like, I wonder how many fans first time round currently know about this.

Cheap Trick were big fans of the band, in particular Robin Zander and there is that vibe of Da Trick here. Can't Get You could easily be them, arranged with Robin Zander and the vocal on Twisting The Prize is very Zander like, accompanying some great Guitar and Piano.

Cloud opens the album and there is a real Noddy Holder Glam Rock feel to the verse and some great Harmonica adds to the catch all chorus. Start Over is wonderful, a venture into the late 60s, a little psychy Beatles White album feel, a much angrier affair than the rest of the album.

Sunset Neighbor could be from a Cheap Trick album like Woke Up With A Monster. Protect Your Love is great 70s Pop Rock, heading into Badfinger and Raspberries field of vision. Just Give Me A Reason (To Stay) is a big Cig Lighter Ballad to close the album with some great George Harrison like slide guitar work.

That closer was co written by Adam Elk from my beloved Mommyheads. Forgive Me God is all jaunty piano pop, think Ben Folds. Everything works beautifully, maybe the exception of Why Don't We Talk Anymore which just hit the nerve a little for me, sounding more like a Bryan Adams outtake. It just comes across as mawkish despite another fine Guitar solo.

The band are in brilliant form. Nelle Hooper sounds as great as any Pop Rock vocalist that you'd like to name. The Rhythm Section of Drew Santarsiero and Brian Geltner is exemplary and Kenny Siegal's Guitar playing is both inventive and frighteningly ace. The band are not messing about too with the album mixed by Jack Douglas and Jay Messina.

The Power Pop forums appear to be obsessed with the Pop Rock of 70s and the Power Pop and Melodic Revival of the 90s. Hunk II fits both beautifully, but still sounds more now with so few doing this type of material these days and certainly not as well produced. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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