Customer Reviews

On

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I've never understood the blase reaction to Imperial Teen's magnificent work by the alternative radio. Sure, "Yoo Hoo" and "You're One" got appropriate exposure, but people just never really woke up to the magic that is Imperial Teen. Apparently, they're just too cool for gritty pop these days. Blur suffered the same fate in the States so, whaddaya gonna do?
Well, if you are going to get a Teen record, it might as well be "On". After dissapointing sales of their previous record and splitting between two (now three) cities, it looked like I.T. was on it's way to calling it quits. "On" is almost like a defiant rebuke to that sentiment. Dismissing the Sonic Youth-like flourishes of "What Is Not To Love?", the Teen's go full-on bubble-gum pop with this one and the result is that rarity in today's music: a true pop rock album with nary a false move. "Ivanka" is "Devil With The Blue Dress" with irrisistable attitude, the slithery hip-shaker "Sugar" could have been one of Blondie's hits, and the almost ridiculously bouncy "Baby", has the dippy sensibility of "She's Tight" or maybe "Love Shack". Other songs recall everything from Sweet to Thomas Dolby. You'd think it would be a tonic to a market consumed with theatrical angst, macho posturing, and Barbie-style vacuousness, but "On" never got beyond cult status, like Imperial Teen's other fine releases. Feh. Their loss. But for fans of Blur, the B-52's, and early Cheap Trick...you MUST check out Imperial Teen at once!!

If you're looking for an album that you can put on and just love every song, this is it. The opening song "Ivanka" is probably one of the catchiest pop songs you'll hear this year, and the rest of the songs on the album are the same way. (Incidentally, when you see "Ivanka" played live it will literally blow you away). It's interesting about Imperial Teen. Each of their three records so far have contained at least one song that, alone, would be worth the price of the record. On "Seasick" it was "You're One," and on "What is Not to Love" it was the killer "Yoo-Hoo." Yet if you buy an Imperial Teen album for that "one song" you can't get out of your head, you end up realizing that all of the other songs on their albums are almost better than that one song. It's the same with "On." You'll buy it (and love it) for "Ivanka," but after a few listens, you'll realize you can't get the other songs out of your head either. For instance, check out the infectious melodies of "Sugar," "Million Dollar Man," and "Baby." Then there's the dreamy sounds of "Captain," "Undone," and "My Spy." Well, there's nothing left to say except this is the best pop album of the year.

Comebacks that are worthy of unglowing praise are few and far between. Normally, when one thinks of a comeback, they're usually prone to think of someone like Elvis or Frank Sinatra, whose bright careers had slumped terribly, and are revived on a wave of both inspiration and nostalga. Other comebacks stem from an artist or group returning after years of absence or uncomfortable silence--such as John Lennon's brief return shortly before his murder, or like Wire, a long-dormant beast whose return is quite welcome.

Over the past few years, the music industry has changed in a most unfortunate way. With an increasing focus on marketing towards already-successful trends in order to assure a fast buck, the idea of developing new, interesting, and original artists has become a naive concept. Records that are very good indeed never see the light of day, or are presssed up in such a small quantity that nobody ever gets to hear them.

Imperial Teen are one of those bands that suffered at the hands of an unsympathetic record label. Their debut album, Seasick, was a fresh, breezy breath of fresh new-wave pop air, full of more harmonies and hooks than you can shake a stick at. It was a lovely record that you couldn't help but love and enjoy. The follow up, What Is Not to Love was aptly titled, though a bit ironic, considering the indifference it met with, and the fact that the band was dropped not long after its release.

Now signed to Merge, Imperial Teen present us with a glorious new album, On. You know, as in "Spot On." On proves that Imperial Teen was far from giving up the ghost when dropped, and like their labelmates Spoon, the Teens prove that losing their label doth not mean that the band loses their quality. Like Spoon, Imperial Teen have produced the album of their career, and thanks be to Merge for recognizing an excellent record from an amazing band. Just don't call it a comeback.

To call Imperial Teen retro or new-wave would do a disservice to both the music and the band. With Will Schwartz's popstar singing, tempered with Roddy Bottum's musical genius and Jone and Lynn's harmonies, you might think you were listening to something straight out of 1985, without all of the cliches. They aren't trying to be anything other than themselves, and if it sounds retro to you, then so be it. While it is true that Roddy Bottum and Will Schwartz's hearts can be found in a new-wave disco, they certainly do not linger there for one moment. In fact, opening number "Ivanka" seems to take a page from the book of Unrest, with a dark musical beast riding underneath a facade of breathy boy-girl vocals and a driving beat.

From there, Imperial Teen turn on the charm, pick up the pace, and set out on a course of action that is best summed up in one word: FUN. The next 39 minutes of your life will be pleasant, to say the least. If, after hearing "Million $ Man," you don't feel sorry for their former label losing the feel-good hit of the season, then, my friend, you just aren't feeling. It's this album's classic Imperial Teen tune, up there with "You're One" and "Lipstick," and if you can't feel it, then, my friend, you simply can't feel. Don't be embarassed, though, if "Million $ Man" and On prompts you to dance around the apartment; every time I've heard it, I've indulged in some massive bedroom break-outs.

The only flaw with On, however, is more of an aesthetic one. While the band are relentless in providing non-stop uptempo pop, the album closes with two rather slow numbers. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, as the songs are both excellent, but it gives the feeling that the band, after pop-rocking out, has seemingly run out of gas, worn themselves down, and have tuckered out on the couch. Of course, after the previous ten songs of fast-paced, hyperactive pop, you'd probably be tired as well. On is a full-throttled joyride, if only you'll dare to take the trip. What is not to love, indeed!

After three years of no new material, Imperial Teen has a great new record. This album is amazing. It is a big departure from their pop classic "seasick", but I must say it is far more interesting and maybe even more fun. It is like the best songs from 7 different bands all rolled up in one record. All the songs have their own unique style. This band just knows what sounds cool. If you like indie pop with an edge, then give this a shot. You won't be let down.

Make sure to check out Sugar, Million Dollar Man, Our Time and The First.

I was tapping my toes and bopping my head almost immediately. This is such fun. I saw Imperial Teen in 1997 here in SF at the Great American Music Hall. I danced my bum off. I liked 'Seasick' a lot, but like this one better.

This stuff will make you smile. I especially like Baby, Million$man and Our Time.

Most recent music interests have been: Wilco, especially Summer Teeth; Manitoba, Up In Flames; Super Furry Animals, Rings around the World; Flaming Lips; Exploding Hearts, Guitar Romantic.

Fun, sassy, sweet but not saccharin, hip-shaking pop music. Buy "On" now - the hand claps alone on "Baby" make it all worth it.

I had never heard of Imperial Teen before reading an article about cute drummer boy Roddy Bottem in OUT Magazine. I bought the album, admittedly, as a charitable act. I thought, I'll do this band a favor by deigning to purchase their work. Fast forward four weeks and I've all but worn out the damn CD! It's my FAVORITE album in the last two years--fresh, funny, intelligent pop that deserves a much bigger audience! Think a modern B-52's, a jangly, adorable melange of sexy beats, bops and words.

I hate to sound like a 14-year-old over this, but every song is great. They run through my head like a soundtrack of a favorite movie. If you're going to buy one album this summer, then I heartily recommend "On" by Imperial Teen.

. . . buy this disc. Toe-tapping and head-bobbing are scientifically proven means of phasing anti-depressant medication out of one's life. Cheaper, too.

Yay! That's the word that best sums up the latest collection of boy-girl vocal harmonies, neo-1960s pop, and retro indie bubblegum from Imperial Teen. The irresistible "Baby" shows off their bouncier side, while the lovely "Undone" leaks out a simple, bittersweet melody. Many moods in between are represented as well.

They wear their influences on their sleeves, which gets annoying. On derivative songs like "Captain," you may get so distracted wondering which early '80s-retro-'60s band they're imitating that you lose track of an otherwise beautiful song. "Teacher's Pet" gets the classic Cheap Trick treatment, while "City Song" sound like Belle & Sebastian transported to 1967, singing about girls in Ashrams. '90s moments echo Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, and Stereolab.

But if you can turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream while you listen, you'll find this a pleasurable record with a gentle charm all its own.

(A version of this review was published in Venus. These words are owned by their author and posted here legally.)

God, what would a summer be without this album! This album sounds just as fresh the 1000th time as it did the first. Solid fun, bombastic alt-pop. You'll fall in love with it!