With just four albums over the course of two decades, brothers Stephen and Brian Butler could hardly be construed as prolific, but
Smash Palace make up for quantity with quality.
Over the Top is another fine offering in the evolution of their power pop loyalty, as evidenced by accessible infectious rockers like "Lucky Me," "Steal Her Thunder," and "Laugh Laugh." When their
Beatles fixation tires,
the Butlers shift into a
Tom Petty-meets-
Long Ryders mode that gives the disc -- through sunny, forceful items like I"ll Be There" and "Wish I Knew How" -- a diverse approach that never bores.
Over the Top is top-notch stuff. ~ John D. Luerssen