Chicago's Joe Dilillo appears to be on the wrong coast with this splendid EP. This is laid back West Coast Pop Rock that suits his gentle vocal beautifully. It is a type of Melodic Pop that we used to hear often, but less so these days.
It hits the right spot, too often in the past the strength of the songs has been washed away by multi tracked vocal harmonies that you could easily admire but became bleh. You could admire the vocals once or twice, but for a while everything that was released seemed to sound the same.
There are also times that Dilillo isn't a million miles away from the slower songs of John Brodeur without the angst. These are wonderfully arranged and performed songs, none more so than the aching heart of Boulevard which features A Girl Called Eddy and a ripping solo that comes from nowhere.
The song has everything that is required including the country tinge that enhances such a song and an ace light orchestral arrangement. Much will be made of the lead single, Loser Girl, an excellent song in its own right, with the sadly defunct Lickerish Quartet accompaniment, but this is the gem.
Superhero Star runs it close and is the most upbeat offering with a hell of a hook. It is Pop Rock of the highest order. I'm Sorry is quite the opposite, very 70s in a good way, it almost weeps. Mind Your Heart was the second single and is the poppiest of the five songs.
Another song that is arranged to perfection, almost a little Andrew Gold at times, McCartney Pop at times with a splendid surprise keyboard run followed by a Glam Guitar solo. Superhero Star is a cracking listen. Great Pop doesn't have to be all about crashing guitars. You can sit back and enjoy this thoroughly/
You can listen to and buy the EP here.
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Really loving this EP. It's filled the hole Fountains of Wayne had left in my life. Gorgeous emotional happy/sad pop rock with some soaring moments.
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