Power Pop Plus: New Release Roundup
The latest discs from the Legal Matters, John Dunbar and more
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As the title would suggest, this is the third full-length offering from Michigan popsters the Legal Matters, whose membership rolls include Keith Klingensmith, Chris Richards, and Andy Reed. All three sing—their pristine signature harmonies pervade nearly all of the dozen tunes—and Richards and Reed each composed six songs. It's their strongest release to date, with a slap of sunshine right out of the gate with "Light Up the Sky," a
Pet Sounds-worthy ballad in "Passing Chord," and what might be their best-ever track, "The Painter," which sounds like some sort of otherworldly cross between a primo Wings ballad and a Plastic Ono Band number. Other numbers showcase a lyrical depth that is most welcomed, little daubs of synthesizer here and there, and, of course, some of the silkiest harmonies in the indie-pop biz. Don't miss the plaintively lovely "You Sure Can't Blame Her" and the Zombies-like psych-pop moves on a few of the tunes. Great care was obviously taken with every aspect of