Steered by former
Christie Front Drive and
Antarctica frontman
Eric Richter,
the 101 is a skilled trio that, on its eponymous EP, makes blissful music for rock fans with short attention spans. The echoey, energetic "Psychotropic Love" rivals the percolating rocker "6/8" for irresistibility honors, and if the lyrics are blurred on "Real," that song's crystalline, memorable guitar lines are ace. Recalling vintage,
Chronic Town-era
R.E.M. and underappreciated '90s power pop purveyors like
the Gigolo Aunts and
Green Apple Quick Step on the forceful, pensive "Blossom,"
Richter and his bandmates, Ben Balcomb and Jeremy Jones, give American underground pop disciples a reason to believe again. When the atmospheric buildup of "Let Them Sin" escalates into a frenzy,
the 101 is reminiscent of
Buffalo Tom in its finest hour. Here's hoping
Richter has a long-player in the plans, because music this enjoyable deserves to be in ample supply.