Frank Bango's sugary brand of power pop is likable enough, but his vocals, which sound like late '70s
Elvis Costello on a touch of helium (or even
Weird Al Yankovic at times), can begin to grate after a while. Nevertheless, as a songwriter
Bango has a solid pop touch, perhaps not as formidable as
Matthew Sweet (but certainly as respectable as folks like
the Posies), and lyricist Richy Vesecky has a sweet way of imbuing small daily pangs and adolescent hunger with poetic significance. There are also some arresting arrangements and instrumentation. Highlights include "Happy Thursday I Love You," "Monster in Your Cookie Jar," and "Instamatic." ~ Erik Hage