godboxer'Pins'

Rubirosa Records

Grade: A

Boston has done it again. After the succession of Letters to Cleo, Bleu and Guster, here comes godboxer, ready to enter the ring with the big pop-rockers. "Pins" is their debut album, but that is not to say that they are a bunch of amateurs. In fact, the lead singer is Aaron Lippert, former member and songwriter of the Expanding Man. Some may recognize this band name from "The Cable Guy" soundtrack, and those who are familiar with their music might be slightly surprised at the variance in musical style.

Lippert's teaming with Jay Barclay from Miss Fortune generates a sound that is more pop than the signature rock sound of Expanding Man. Other members include drummer Mike Levesque (who has played with David Bowie) and bassist Joe McMahon (from the Clairvoyants), which make godboxer an all-star band dripping with talent.

This album was coproduced with Ducky Carlisle, who has been responsible for the successful fates of Asa Brebner and Kevin Connolly.

Although the album only contains seven tracks, each one has its own distinct vibe. The four members, from their assorted musical backgrounds, come together to produce a rainbow of sounds within the vast pop/rock genre. The first track, "Until You're Gone," is slightly reminiscent of U2's "Beautiful Day," while "Come Sunday" is heavily influenced by Radiohead. This is a highly professional album that defeats many albums from the current pop scene, which contain far too many fillers and rip-offs.

Lippert's voice is the real heart of this album. Although some of the lyrics are quite generic and typical of pop rock ("Now I'm all messed up / I believe I've had enough / Darlin' take me outside"), Lippert's passionate and energetic conveyance make godboxer unique and noteworthy. "Black eye" is the one song in which Lippert exposes a slightly darker side in the lyrics and superimposes them onto a melody that is redolent of the Brit band Oasis. Overall, the melodies are so catchy that it is hard not to hit repeat after the last track, "Beautiful and Young," which is perhaps the most upbeat song on the list.

This talented foursome has developed a sound that will have no problem landing itself onto a teen movie soundtrack. What makes the album so refreshing is the raw inspiration and musical fervor that shines through the music. The songs sink right in and instantaneously become humming tunes. The short length begs for encores and the music does not get tiresome too soon.

Having said all this, it should come as no surprise that godboxer was a nominee for the outstanding new rock band category in the 2002 Boston Music Awards. Keep an eye on this band, because they are promising and will definitely not be running out of verve for a while.