Our editor enthused when he handed it to me that "this is the best album I've heard all year." It must be admitted he's not far off base. This is indeed one of the finest powerpop albums with heavy roots rock overtones to come out in quite some while.

Eugene Edwards comes from a background of playing country and rockabilly, which serves to keep his music grounded and rockin'. He leads a fine quartet of players, playing a kind of music that's been around since Buddy Holly and the Crickets. He's been compared to Elvis Costello -- not an unfair observation -- but I think a more accurate description would be a less nasal Pat Dinizio singing Squeeze songs.

"Your Own Nightmare" is a wonderful introduction, everything a perfect pop song should be. "It Doesn't Get Better Than This" echoes one of Edwards' main inspirations (who'll you'll remember had a song called "It'll Never Get Better Than This," and the similarities aren't coincidental). "Congratulations, My Darling" is "Please, Please Me" as adapted by the SpongeTones or the Flamin' Groovies. You could go on making the comparisons, but the important thing to note is just how fresh and wonderful every song on this album sounds.

- Kent H. Benjamin