NESS
Up Late With People (High Pilot)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Well-crafted pop by a band who can bounce between a lilting, beautifully gentle number and hook-n-hammer rocker with a mature ease that may remind you a little bit of Badfinger. Ness carries the name of founder Rick Ness (guitar/vocals), but this seems to be a solid group effort, with each player adding a unique voice to Ness' exceptional songwriting. John San Juan (bass), Bill Swartz (drums) and Phil Young (keyboards) are perfect mates for Ness and each seems to know how to add a subtle touch to a song to change a moment from routine to irresistible. The ELOesque "Cosmoa" could have been held in on dimension as a floaty, peaceful tune and still been perfectly successful, but these guys want to shift gears and see what happens, so the heavenly chorus drops out, the reverb falls with it and Young fires up a soulful organ swirl. For a moment, the song takes on a Stax-like feel before melting back into the dream, and it seems natural. The sheer psychedelic power of "Imaginary Life," with its anthemic power chords and rolling drums over a hauntingly fragile vocal, offsets "Cosmoa" nicely, and there are hook-filled power poppers to fill the gaps, as well. All this is analysis, but what really matters is how it feels when you put it on and let it play through. Up Late With People is one I think will make you feel mighty fine. Something about near-perfect pop, spine-tingling harmonies, and people who really know how to play it.

© 2004 - DJ Johnson