A very impressive debut CD from a pair of Boston music veterans who really know how to deliver the "hook." A product of the '70s yet still fresh and original, the music of
the Beloved Few consists largely of clever pop with catchy choruses not unlike those of
Jellyfish,
Crowded House,
the Rembrandts, and
Del Amitri. And if something here reminds you of Squeeze, that would be singer Michael Troy. His vocal breaks and inflections are characteristic of
Glenn Tilbrook's. The other half of the team is equally as talented: David Stefanelli plays drums AND guitar in addition to handling production duties. Many of the album's smartly crafted songs are anchored in an acoustic environment; others start there but then build into a stronger force that rocks pleasantly but never too hard. The uplifting songs here fare better than those on the more dreamy and reflective side. At times, the highly varied instrumentation gets to be a bit much (recorder, dulcimer, cello, etc.) and the focus strays, but when they lay it down straight, such as on "Please Take Care," "Home," and "Beloved Few," Troy and Stephanelli give music lovers their favorite gift: songs that will ramble around in their heads long after the disc stops spinning. ~ Ann Wickstrom