"Chicago is known for it’s wide variety of musical choices and bands. In the opinion of many, Chicago has some of the best bands, most of which you have probably never heard of before, but you should. The Cells would probably snuggly fit into that category, but if you already know who they are, give me a call; you’re cool...." "The Cells have balance. They know what pop should be -- smart, never too sappy, always loud. Lest their rock topple under its own weight, they fortify it with tons of hooks, and between the sandpaper guitars and bittersweet harmonies, they locate perfection. It's a miracle these guys aren't nationwide already - not one song on their debut falters, it's entirely sing-along-to-on-your-car-radio-ready - but in the best sense of the phrase. Because The Cells sound better than 99% of the new bands you'll hear on the radio, not to mention some of the ones you never will. Thankfully, they're just short of over-produced, the songs are short, and the lyrics are intelligent and funny, but not overbearing -- and never in comedy rock territory. At various points it appears that songwriter Cory Hance is vaguely addressing the state of the modern world. Dreary imagery such as nuclear war, global complications, radiation, and acid rain are snuck into seemingly upbeat, bratty songs. The lyrical thread running through We Can Replace You suggests a get it while you can / get in the van / you only live once / you could die tomorrow attitude that is apropos in our toxic, violent world. You wouldn't call The Cells a "political" band but it's nice to know they can take the personal focus of pop and contextualize it a bit more than, say, all those angry young white guys who like act like whiny victims and take out their frustrations (about mere bad parenting, no less) over the airwaves these days. In this vein, "All Be Happy" is strongest: beneath its harmless veneer is a critique of consumerism and what it takes to be "happy" as the protagonist waits in vain for this illusive goal. In the relationship category, "Stupid Guy" wins, hands down, for catchiness. Not to imply that The Cells are anachronistic, but a few years ago they would've been snatched up in the great Chicago Indie Rock Feeding Frenzy of the early-mid 90s (well, bass player Rick Ness was caught up on Polydor with his band Fig Dish for two albums). Still, their just right combination of smart/nerdy, rock and roll, and bubblegum is pure 2002 anyway, because there's bliss in this near-nihilistic bashing, exactly what pop should be in this utopian dream: The Cells, alongside Supersonic Storybook-era Urge Overkill, Cheap Trick, Local H, Weezer... you get the idea. If the masses don't want it, we'll keep it to ourselves." Following in the great Chicago power pop tradition, this debut full-length from The Cells slots alongside Cheap Trick, Busker Soundcheck and Figdish nicely with 10 songs that channel frustration and boredom with muscle and melody. Aside from the fire-stoked guitars and cheer-worthy choruses, this band stands out by the slightly glam vocals of lead songwriter Cory Hance. He channels Robin Zander plus vintage David Bowie on songs that wear their working class pessimism like a badge of honor. "Another hour we'll all be happy ... don't want to die alone," he sings ("All Be Happy"), making desperation sound like a reason to celebrate. There are no small deals on this album and the band commits to everything with enormity in sound and more so, fury. The Cells' We Can Replace You is for folks who like walls of guitars — thick, rich guitars. The group's music can, at times, fall roughly into the punk-pop or power pop spheres but, more accurately, this is urgent, hook-ridden hard rock with a wide appeal. The album storms out of the gate with the chest-thumping, clotted-cream riffs of "Silver Cloud," and then plunges headlong into the furious, hook-ridden attack of the Cheap Trick-esque "All Be Happy." The vocals of frontman Cory Hance have an appealing, adolescent quality, whether he's whining at you like your bratty little brother or snottily drawling extra syllables into words like early Liam Gallagher (particularly on "Fluff," which could be a first cousin to Oasis' "Supersonic" or "Acquiesce"). This is first-rate, muscular rock, and the only misstep here seems to be the anthemic (replete with acoustic guitar opening) rocker "Spaceman." But as long as the trio (and whatever bass player has been rented for the moment) keeps the guitars revved up and Hance keeps up the punkish whining, this is appealing rock of the highest order. The Cells' web site describes the band's music as “high decibel post-pop and loud, loud guitars,” about as apt a label as this critic could ever create for the Chicago rockers. We Can Replace You (Orange Recordings), the band's enormous debut album, features frontman Cory Hance's distinctive nasal vocal style and guitarist Pat McIntyre's snarling axework. Drummer Randy Payne and former Figdish bassist Rick Ness add massive, crashing rhythms to the songs, every tune on We Can Replace You a perfectly manufactured three-to-four minute slice of pure rock & roll. Silver Cloud explores the perils of fame, fictional and otherwise while Vinyl offers the suggestion of automotive therapy for the angry and heartbroken. Hance's bratty vocals rise above McIntyre's tireless fretwork, spitting out the lyrics of Say Hello as the song spirals into a cacophony of feedback before evolving into What You Did. A radio-friendly pop song with a memorable riff and relentless wall-of-sound instrumentation, What You Did is a fine example of the Cells' craft. Every song on We Can Replace You is an unpolished gem, the Cells a band with so much life and energy that they sound loud even when they're being quiet. Mention the Cells in Chicago and you're bound to get an earful. "The Cells write great songs and put on a phenomenal live show," says Chris Payne, host of Q101/Chicago's "Local 101". "The Cells' music explodes out of your speakers," Richard Milne, host of WXRT/Chicago's "Local Anesthetic," exclaims. Sensing a trend? So are we. The Cells' promising debut, We Can Replace You, boasts song after song of fun yet genuine pop-punk that rivals most major label acts attempting to do the same thing. The album's memorable opener, "Silver Cloud," clearly outlines what listeners should expect from the other nine songs on this album: hooks. Lots of 'em. In short, We Can Replace You is the type of album that begs to be listened to (loudly) on a summer day when you skip work, jump in the car and cruise to the beach with the windows down. There's no need for us to recommend tracks. You can pretty much hit the random play button on the CD player and let fate decide what song pops on; they're all equally good. "Chicago DJs have been abuzz about The Cells for quite some time. Now, the Windy City boys are invading the rest of the country with their steady barrage of addictive hooks and good ol’ fashioned pop rawk. A recent week at CMJ found We Can Replace You as the #2 most-added album at college radio stations (behind the neverending story that is Sonic Youth). It doesn’t take long to see what all the excitement is about." Glamirific power-pop with a heavy nod towards RAWK (Chicago style, y'all). Singer Cory Hance sounds like the snotty little brother who annoys you by singing at the top of his lungs in the family station wagon on the 6-hour drive to grandma's house. It's all good though, because secretly you know he's talented as shit. "Silver Cloud," "All Be Happy," "Say Hello" and "I Go Out" are bombastic radio hits in the making, too bad you'll never hear 'em there. - http://www.75orless.com THE CELLS (rock) This Chicago-based quartet's noisy, power chord-laden pop crackles as much as it pops. The Cells (including former Fig Dish bassist Rick Ness) mix chunky guitars with punky pop, underscoring it all with harmonizing vocals that emphasize their fondness for the ultimate hook. "Thoroughly catchy, hard-charging power pop...that's definitely worth checking out." -Chicago Tribune Metromix.com 1/31/00 "The Cells evoke the best pop-rockers like Fountains of Wayne with well-crafted songs and lots of energy" "The Cells' single "Silver Cloud" is powerful punk music played with conviction and a sense of punk history ....with nods to Sid Vicious ... The Clash ...Nirvana. A really well-written, smart punk song. Listening to "Silver Cloud" reminded me of Marlon Brando's famous quote to a director who was giving him too much direction: "Hey, you gotta give a guy room to swing a cat here." Great vocals. Great guitars. Great song!" "The Cells fit neatly into that nebulous category I like to call "super bubble." Equal parts glam, pop and metal, constantly shape-shifting like a damned Lava Lamp. Try putting this on random play with (their friends) Box-O-Car, Cheap Trick, Sweet, Slade, and Bay City Rollers. That's super bubble! The band is singer/guitarist Cory Hance, guitarist Pat McIntyre, drummer Randy Payne and current bass player Rick Ness. "Silver Cloud" is an immediately winning song with a massive guitar assault and a slam dunk vocal hook in the chorus, courtesy of Hance and his engaging "c'mon, EVERYbody" voice, known to inspire mass sing-alongs at Chicago's hottest clubs. These songs come from their hand-circulated'For Humans' EP." "One of the most talked-about bands in Chicago - for a good reason." "The Cells write great songs and put on a phenominal live show. I'm excited for them. They're a band to watch." "The Cells are one of the best bands that have come from Chicago in a while. They can rock pop better than anyone else can. It's so much fun working with them." "The Cells' music explodes out of your speakers." "Definitely one of the city's coolest bands." "The Cells are a great, super-tight rock band...and they're cute, too." "Thousands of people have checked out the Cells on Liquid Generation and have e-mailed us asking how to get their CD. The Cells rock." |
Download a copy of the Cells Press Kit Hi-Res (300dpi) photos for publication
|
