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By: Dennis Cook
In an alternate universe the title to this bang-up anthology would be resoundingly true. Radio would be a much better place if The Apples In Stereo helped define popular tastes, but, like Michael Nesmith's similarly cheeky And The Hits Just Keep On Comin', this is a jab at the paucity of mainstream fare. However, if you dig terrifically enjoyable pop-rock with oodles of energy, clever touches and sugary singing then #1 Hits Explosion (released August 31 on Yep Roc) is lousy with gold 'n' platinum worthy tunes.
From the jump-out-at-you bounce of "Energy" to the Squeeze meets Chic vibe of "The Bird That You Can't See" to the baldly Beatles-y "Strawberryfire" to the irresistible bop of "The Rainbow" and the Carole King hum of "Same Old Drag," there's simply nothing here that doesn't groove a good bit. If you've lost your shimmy this will help you find it toot-sweet. The Apples have absorbed many of the best lessons from Badfinger, Brian Wilson, The dBs and The Box Tops, and only the Velvet Crush (and pal Matthew Sweet) really give them a run for their money in terms of honoring classic popsmiths without genuflecting so deeply that one loses their identity. Laid end to end, these 16 tracks culled from their 17-year-and-counting career make a good case that if you've slept on The Apples In Stereo thus far you've been missing out.
JamBase | Nowhere, Man
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