DEAR JOHN LETTERS
Unbroken (Roam Records)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

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I've been listening a lot lately to former Nevada Bachelors singer Robb Benson and Johnny Sangster's Sangster Meets Benson album. A great collection of songs that was created by each person taking the other's recorded track and embellishing it, back and forth until it reached finalization. That was a great collection of catchy melodic pop that reminded me a lot of Guided By Voices. I had only heard one song by the duo's latest band, the wonderfully named Dear John Letters until I got sent this, their second CD. Like the Nevada Bachelors, Benson pens delightfully catchy tunes with sweet vocal harmonies by Benson and Sangster that recall '60s outfits like the Zombies and (gasp!) the Beatles, as well as lots of '70s powerpop stuff. There are ringing electric guitars and fine acoustic strumming, some keys here and there, and a great sound overall. About half of this was recorded at Benson's home studio, the other half at Egg, the Seattle studio where Johnny engineers for the most part. There's a real warmth and depth to the material here, especially on songs like "Kings and Queens," "Picture Show" and the rollicking "For The Sake Of Love," which features some cool '50s rock and roll style piano tinkling.

© 2003 - Alan Wright