Customer Reviews

My Favorite Revolution

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`My Favorite Revolution' is a 14 song pop master class, full of infectious tunes, hooks that you stick in your mind for days, ringing guitars, and smart often funny lyrics. You get the distinct impression that Edwards had a ball making this record and his enthusiasm for pop music shines through. The title track is a tribute to the power of the 45rpm record and ends with the plea "So drop the needle there a song to be sung" and sing them he does.

The record really takes off with Track two's `It Doesn't Get Better Than This' - 2 minutes and 37 seconds of pop magic complete with, rolling drums, Duane Eddy guitars and dammit one hell of a catchy chorus. By the end of the song an infectious grin is spread over your face and stays there for the rest of the record.

The other songs range from mid 60's Beatle influenced (Congratulations My Darling) to Bar rock boogie meets Squeeze (Telling That Lie Again)- To classic Elvis Costello, circa `Get Happy', with "At Your Place', a sub two minute blast telling the story of a break up. "I left all of my best tapes at your place/now I'm dropping off sour grapes at your place".

Of the two ballads on the record the standout is I'll Be True (Someday) - A confession from a man who has blown a relationship, "The upside to all this time, the upside is I'm free/ the downside to all this pride/ the downside is that I can't see what its done to me"." Edwards voice is a cross between Paul Carrack and Glenn Tilbrook, and on this song, he manages to nail a modern day ballad that's worthy of mention in the same breath as the Squeeze Classic `Tempted' - yes its that good. One of the best power pop debuts of the last decade.

Eugene's album is excellent. It is one of the relatively few that doesn't have me hitting the skip button. My favorites are "Congratulations My Darling" and "Next Time You Go", the first a chiming Beatle-icious sounding cut, the second a slower torch song. As good as he sounds on CD though,(I pretty much agree with the first reviewer, so I won't repeat his comments), those listeners in the L.A. area that check out his frequent live shows will come away thinking that the band is even better on stage. His music sounds somewhat similar to Elvis Costello and Squeeze, although various covers of other artists get thrown into the live show (Beatles, Bee Gees, Van Morrison, to start.) Check out "johnhoskinson.com/eugene/", (John is the other guitarist/vocalist in the band, and has his own tasty album out too) for more details on upcoming shows. I have listened to the CD dozens and dozens of times, and can't wait for his followup CD to come out. You will be glad you bought this CD. I've bought several copies, just to give to friends and relatives to turn them on to the music.

Edwards rips through a fiery set of pop rock retro flavored songettes with speed and agility. Eugene has a natural pop wizardry that resonates with the mid-forties crowd. I have new faith in new music because this guy has passion, and hopefully, it will spread like elixir to the sad, ailing epidemic that currently passes for rock music. Eugene told me he has never heard of the band "Any Trouble" he is either: a)lying, b) unaware that his true birth father is Clive Gregson or c) still yet to experience a moment like meeting the twin you never knew you had. I want to be there when EE listens to "Yesterday's Love" I predict he will do a cover of it in his live shows. All of you EE fans will love this band as well, if you have never heard them this is the compilation to get: Girls Are Always Right: The Stiff Years Any Trouble: Girls Are Always Right, the Stiff Years. You will thank me.

Unfortunately, as usual I was late to the party, having just discovered "My Favorite Revolution". Better late than never for certain. One of the finest pop/rock debuts I've ever heard; not to be missed by fans of the genre. Eugene Edwards has talent to spare, and for fans who weren't late to the party like me, you'll be glad to hear that Eugene has recorded the follow up to his great debut and is working on "the best way to get it out there". The guy actually emailed me back after I sent him a note about how much I liked the CD. How cool is that?! Buy this record!

I originally caught Eugene Edwards on Pandora & finally researched him on Amazon & bought his LP. I find his work to be influenced by several artists, namely Squeeze, a young Nick Lowe & Elvis Costello. I also found him sounding eerily similar to Eddie Money (vocally) on some songs. I've probably listened to the album about 30 times now & there isn't a bad song in the mix. Without getting into specifics, most of the songs have very catchy tunes and Mr. Edwards had shown he is a very capable songwriter. I am hoping he will follow up with a second album and recontinue the "power pop" scene that emerged in the late 70's & early 80's.