Bus Stop
Self Titled
by Jessica Brandt
Did you see the movie Singles? Or maybe it was the TV show The
Heights. Anyway, I think that Bus Stop could certainly write the
soundtrack for a hip, twenty-something movie (It's no wonder that their
music has been heard in the background of such shows as Melrose
Place, Baywatch and Disney's Hollywood Lives).
Bus Stop, who's members include Evan Olson, Britt "Snuzz" Uzzell, Chuck
Folds, and Eddie Walker (Yes, Chuck is Ben's brother, and yes, it is "The"
Eddie Walker). Bus Stop is great pop music...very radio-friendly,
not too hard, and all about being in love and being dumped. With the pop
sound's growing popularity as of late (ie Tonic, Matchbox 20, Our Lady
Peace, etc.) you'd think this band would be on every single station on the
dial. So far, they're not as popular as they would like to be. After 8 or
so years of being a band, they're doing wedding receptions and private
parties around their hometown. Hopefully (and I hate to say this) with the
popularity of Chuck's bro's band (Ben Folds Five, if you live under a rock)
people will begin to pay more attention to Chapel Hill NC as the new
musical mecca and pick up this band's album.
There is definitely a different style to the two singers-- Evan Olson and
Britt Uzzell. Olson sounds little like Chris Cornell of Soundgarden when
he rocks it out, as well as when he ballds us. Uzzell, on the other hand,
just has a goofy voice. I think it adds a lot to the music, in that
it makes the sound much different than when Olson sings, and a sound I
prefer.
"Lorraine" is probably my favorite track on the album (An Uzzell-crooned
ditty) because it's happy and it's not really like the others, in a sense
that it's not just a break-up song. "Satisfied" is the first rocker to pop
up on the album (Track 6). This song shows the band's diversity, from love
song to rock song. Track 8, "The Apology" is another example of Uzzell's
effect on a song. An apology from his mouth makes you feel really sorry
for him! Cute and sad, like a puppy dog that just ate your homework.
Following "The Apology" is "Who Needs Tomorrow," with a bt of an "island"
feel to it, and a good one to get your feet tapping a bit. They finish it
off with another rocker, "Let it Go."
The album is good, for pop. I am in no way a fan of this sort of music,
but I have seen my share of horrible local bands and heard enough top 40
radio to tell you that Bus Stop has huge hit potential and can definitely
blow away any local band I've seen. Their music is polished, sort of
Lemonheads-like, and easy to listen to. You don't find too much repetition
or recycled junk on this album. These guys are really talented, as well as
hard-working, and if you're into this kind of music, I suggest going to
their web page to
find out more about them.
[B-] [82]
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