There are many ways to approach Power Pop. No honest there are, despite what long aficionados may tell you. Los Angeles five piece, Love Fiend, prove this in spades with their 80s take on the genre. Being 80s sounding, you might be expecting synths and you get them.
There is an extra dimension with these five as one member, Kurtis Ray, is a Sax player who adds variety to what you might expect. There is a real US New Wave feel to proceedings at times and I can't help thinking of The Cars as Love Fiend get really close at times.
Having said that, the album opens with classic UK Glam Rock stomper, Just Like Eddie and Jimmy (Is An Agent) gets heavily into the same territory. Got Bad gets much rockier and the Sax plays a big part in that, yet instrumentally, Neu Testament is far more 80s bar the great guitar solo. I am reminded a lot of what Bates Motel brought to Sparks in that first half of the decade.
Tied Up is splendid UK New Wave, yet One Forever is again more is fine 80s Synth Pop despite the Glam handclap that parties up the song. Vacant Love is a great closer, slowing things down, with again a slight Cars feel, this time rhythmically and the beat continues.
Special mention has to go to two songs that show off the variation that Love Fiend provide. Secret Cabals is synth driven and really catchy. I have no idea what CKIL meant, but the song soon tells me. It is a cracking of rocked up Glam that sums up what a great listen Handle With Care.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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