BOSS MARTIANS
The Set Up (Musick)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

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Some ten years ago the Martians, led by guitarist Evan Foster, started out as a very purist instro surf band. Over the course of various singles and LPs they began adding vocal numbers, fuzzed-out garage rock, and some powerpop influences. A year 2000 side project of Evan Foster and organist Nick Contendo's called the Mystery Action resulted in a great CD of catchy and fuzzed-out pop-garage, and with the last Martians album, Making The Rounds, it was obvious they were moving even closer to their current sound. The Set Up finds the band fully transitioned into a powerpop band, and a very good one at that. To be quite frank, this is one of the best CDs I've heard lately. The songs are totally infectious and Johnny Sangster's production is spot-on. Kicking off with "I Wanna Be Your Addiction," it's apparent Foster has honed his knack for writing incredibly great songs. There's not a dud on this whole CD. The album was recorded by the core of Foster and Nick Contendo, the only two original members of the group. Three different drummers, Dusty Watson - who's played with everyone from Jon and the Nightriders and Dick Dale to the Queers - Trivett Wingo, and former Fastbacks/Posies member Mike Musberger help out on the skin duties. Brandon Gonzales handles the bass except on the three tunes that Foster is credited to. Despite that, the CD is cohesive and rocking to the max. "Kill My Telephone" gives new reason to have caller I.D., while "I Am Your Radio" makes use of a great metaphor. "Oh, Angela" sounds like a lost Elvis Costello outtake from his "This Year's Model/Armed Forces" period. Elsewhere, echoes of bands like the Plimsouls show up on songs like "Stress Case" and "Opportunistic Girl," while "Vows" brings to mind vintage Graham Parker. Contendo's even expanded his sonic palette of organ and piano to include (gasp!) synthesizers! So, if any of that sounds like an enticement, I strongly recommend you pick this up right now!

© 2004 - Alan Wright