The Pernice Brothers
The World Won’t End
Ashmont
Much like their 1998 debut, Overcome By Happiness, The Pernice Brothers’ new effort is a study in intelligent, resplendent pop. Joe Pernice is a wizard of melody and solid tunes. He weaves songs from thin air. It’s the stuff that should be coming from a think tank of songsmiths. Releasing The World Won’t End on his newly created Ashmont Records, Pernice has once again thrown down the gauntlet (it’s doubtful that anyone will be able to pick it up). In addition to The Pernice Brothers, Joe has exercised his musical chops previously in The Scud Mountain Boys, Chappaquiddick Skyline, and as a solo artist. These other ventures don’t seem to reach the same level of pop proficiency as do the Brothers Pernice. Call this new record a beacon of pop genius or a lighthouse among flashlights, The World Won’t End is a bright spot in relatively dim year for indie. Continuing in the same vein as Overcome By Happiness (which had incredible hits like “Crestfallen,” “Overcome By Happiness,” and “Monkey Suit”), the new LP is packed with should-be radio classics (that is, if the radio didn’t operate on a fourth grade listening level). Leading off with the catchy “Working Girls” and “7:30,” the CD plays on with ne’er a weak number. Saying it’s a strong CD is gross understatement. Orch-pop never sounded so good as it does on “She Heightened Everything,” perhaps the best track on the disc. For fans of classic sounding pop (be it ELO, selected Guided By Voices, George Harrison, Badfinger, Elliott Smith•), this CD is essential.
