Once in a while I am sent a CD that doesn't fit the stereotypical indie release. With major labels becoming increasingly picky these days (yet, ironically enough, exhibiting far worse taste than ever before), it's not a shock to find what should be on Warner Bros. or Columbia as a self-released disc. Edward Heppenstall's "Parts That Hate Me" (http://www.edwardheppenstall.com) falls into that category.
Heppenstall is not a hip deconstructionist a la Beck nor is he an avant-pop smartass a la Modest Mouse. Not even close. Instead, Heppenstall recalls mid to late '80s AOR radio, when commercial rock acts borrowed synthesizers from the New Wave set and delivered a drum-heavy style that was less reliant on guitar solos. On "Parts That Hate Me" you'll hear reflections of Peter Gabriel, the Police, and the Call, all staples from that time period.
Does that mean its retro? Surprisingly, no. For all of his old-school studio flavors, Heppenstall doesn't sound as much of a flashback that Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party are. The straightforward arrangements contribute to that; there is no angular post-punk riffing here although the jangling guitars in "Share Them" might delight fans of the Smiths' "William, It Was Really Nothing." Also, Heppenstall has a raspy voice that's more '90s than '80s.
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"For Love, For Now" and "Holding on to the Ground" are melodic tracks that don't really fit into these times yet are not dated, either. The funky guitars in "Holding on to the Ground" show a sense of danceable rhythm that is uncommon among today's singer/songwriters.
As one can guess from the title, these are songs that have some thought put into them; if you're looking for intelligent, hook-laden pop, this is it.
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