The Major Labels - Aquavia (Independent)

The Major Labels bring us a dream-team of sorts pulling together three old friends and fans of AM 70s pop radio (consisting of Bleu, Ducky Carlisle, and Mike Viola) to make one fantastic album called Aquavia. Bleu, otherwise known as William James McCauley III has been releasing albums since the late 90s, and has collaborated with a varying list of contributors from members of Jellyfish, Chicago, Hanson, PuffyAmiYumi to Matt Mahaffey, which seem an odd little pop-list of collaborators but fits the backdrop perfectly for Bleu's work on The Major Labels debut. The Candy Butchers' Mike Viola--who has also been known to collaborate with locals Jim Boggia, and The Figgs (and of whom you may also already know from his title song for the movie, That Thing You Do! co-written with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne) makes a perfect addition coming off of his most recent success co-writing with Dan Bern for the soundtrack to John C. Reilly's comedic spoof; Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. And along with Ducky Carlisle; the group solidify their hooky, crunchy, and hopeful power-pop gems for an album of true greatness.

For the same reason that people covet The Beatles over The Rolling Stones, the statement remains the same--what both legendary acts have in common, is the ultimate timelessness of their own genre. Pop music, rock music, whatever you want to call it....made properly; if you're a music lover, it's ultimately what sonically makes your World go BOOM! "Sometimes a song can change your life, you never know." (Don't Hear A Single, by The Major Labels). The Major Labels have made one of those timeless albums that you immediately want to tell your friends about, but selfishly (because it's so DAMN good) want to keep to yourself, and then proclaim that they were robbed when the Year's Best Albums lists come out. We could easily point out that you need to hear this band simply on the basis that if you love: Nick Lowe, Big Star, The Beatles/McCartney, Straight Up-era Badfinger, Bowie, Harry Nilsson, E.L.O. (all three members are also a part of E.L.O. tribute group L.E.O.) and for goshes sake, those two well-tuned men in glasses; Elvis Costello, and Marshall Crenshaw--that it's going to be right up your alley. But we won't. We'll leave the rest in your hands. Just make sure that you don't miss them when they play Philadelphia for the first time as The Major Labels this coming September at The M Room.

Don't Hear A Single - The Major Labels

The Major Labels Upcoming Tour Dates:
Sep 17 M Room with Hypernova Philadelphia PA
Sep 18 The Mercury Lounge New York NY

The Major Labels - myspace

Comments

[JP]

I love the album and loved the show at the M Room! Will you be posting a review of the show?

[carly]

Hi JP,

We'll actually be posting an interview instead! Stay tuned! Live snippets to follow as well--thanks for reading! That was indeed a fantastic show!

Carly