"You were kool as hell like e-mail but still timeless like a letter." Far be it from me to argue with a modern couplet like that, especially when itΓÇÖs delivered with as much white, cherubic soul as any group of suburbanites have mustered since the Records. Beginning with "YouΓÇÖre So Yesterday," the aforementioned cut on Marvelous 3ΓÇÖs Elektra debut, this Atlanta power-pop trio puts the most electric, exuberant, and clever spin on ΓÇÖ80s pop youΓÇÖre likely to hear this year. The recipe is far from new: Take the chunky rhythm guitars of the Cars, add the shameless (and catchy) pop melodies and harmonies of Cheap Trick, the immediacy of the Buzzcocks, the smarts of Joe Jackson, and then--for good measure--a dash of Boston and the Raspberries, and youΓÇÖve got the idea.
ThereΓÇÖs a fine art to making music that feels comfortable and sounds familiar, yet has a strong flavor of its own. In a sense, itΓÇÖs the ultimate aim of pop music. And to that end, cuts like the power ballad "Let Me Go" and the irresistible single "Freak Of The Week" are two of the genreΓÇÖs best examples, thanks to Butch WalkerΓÇÖs versatile, ear-friendly voice and well-crafted arrangements. And even in "Every Monday," when a bit of Queen-styled pompousness creeps in, attitude and self-deprecating lyrics ("All of this because my favorite show was canceled last night on TV") are the antidote. I wouldnΓÇÖt call this stuff timeless, but then again, M3 isnΓÇÖt concerned about saving the world, just the day.
