"So Long", indeed. It has been about 8 years since we last heard from Chicago`s The Webstirs. Putting the brakes on, has done the band good. Very, very good. "So Long" is one of 2009s more exciting indie power pop releases. Half homage to pop`s past greats(echoes of Jellyfish, ELO and Cheap Trick) and their own modern sound, with a few songs reminding me of the great Josh Fix`s recent album. "So Long" begins and ends with two instrumental songs that echo strongly Brian Wilson, yet those two interludes are the only songs that I can say remind me of Wilson. "Opening with the wistful piano chords of "Summer Fades" it nods tribute to Brian Wilson`s "Smile" and then blasts into the dual guitar and horn attack of "Wesley Station" that draws from The Jellysfish, Queen and The Posies, and it will have power pop fans pulse racing -amazing melody with a multi-instrumental celebration of sound. This continues with "Somewhere To Start" and "So Long" as the party just keeps going, with some great piano support, to the incredible riffs and harmonies..I was waiting for a low point on this album.. and there isn`t any. "Malaise"is a great Beatlesque romp, with that rolling baseline and Penny Lane era horn arrangements. And that does not mean these guys don`t rock hard either, the next song "Apparition Shine" is an amazing Green Day meets Weezer inspired single that draws together a wall of guitar sound that will sonically mow you down. It is followed by the ELO-inspired "Big Break" full of rich synths and echoing vocals that Jeff Lynne would be proud of. the music here doesn`t just have obvious influences, it transcends that to form something unique.This is what many pop fans have been waiting for all year. The Webstirs have delivered genius. Don`t let this one pass you by. " - Power Popaholic blog. " Thoroughly engaging and entertaining from beginning to end. "So Long" is so good, I am so looking forward to getting tangled up in the rest of The Webstirs` CDs. Highly recommended for fans of Britpop, Jellyfish, Superdrag, and Fastball." - Bill`s Music Forum. "It`s chock full of sunny harmonies and Beatles riffs thrown under a metallic shower of fuzz. The album is book ended by two quiet meditative pieces, but the compositions between strive toward grandiosity. They do it all and keep the momentum going through the album`s night perfect 36 minutes." The Chicagoist. EXTREMELY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
 Song #1 - mp3
Song #2 - mp3
Song #3 - mp3
Song #4 - mp3
Song #5 - mp3
Song #6 - mp3 | 
