SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GENE CHAMPAGNE – TOO POP FOR PUNK…TOO PUNK TO CARE

GENE CHAMPAGNE
TOO POP FOR PUNK…TOO PUNK TO CARE
SIOUX RECORDS

Gene Champagne has quite a history in rock ‘n’  roll, or rather punk. Besides making his own music (and by that, I mean he does everything), he is the drummer with Teenage Head, a founding member and drummer of The Killjoys, and the current drummer of punk veterans, The Black Halos. While drumming is his business, he plays every instrument on this new album. His album, Too Pop For Punk…To Punk To Care pretty much sums up the entire album. This is power-pop or punk-pop and it is extremely well done. Punk has always had a few fingers in pop music. The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks, The Damned, and so many more have always incorporated pop music into their sound. Champagne can be added to that impressive group of artists.

Too Pop For Punk…To Punk To Care is an impressive debut album. While Champagne has released singles and an EP in the past, he has taken his time to plan out and write/produce and record his debut. The title, as mentioned, gives the game away. The songs here are wonderful, energetic bursts of pop music with a bit of punk edge to them. Some songs are punk with a bit of pop. Champagne has a great voice, and every song is delivered with a one-two punch, even a cover of the bubblegum classic, “Yummy Yummy Yummy.”

Champagne does not try to hide his influences or his love of all forms of music. His take on surf music, “Beach Boy Wannabe,” is not only humorous but a fine song in its own right. The classic organ sound and wonderful guitar solo make it authentic and fun. Not to mention his wonderful vocals. “She’s An Atom Bomb” is closer to punk than pop, but it still has his trademark melody and ability to make the song interesting. It is not a standard punk song; there is a lot going on with the song.

And that can be said for the entire album. There is simply a great deal going on throughout Too Pop For Punk…To Punk To Care is a great and fun album. Lyrically, again, the focus seems to be on enjoying life, some satire and some laughs. The world needs Pop For Punk…To Punk To Care these days, just to get away from the daily and discouraging news of the world. Champagne has produced a great album, with a great deal to enjoy.

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