With their classic 1977 album Wanna Meet the Scruffs?, leader Stephen Burns and his cohorts fashioned a rather reckless, hyper-melodic version of Memphis power pop, fueled by some Anglo leanings and Burns’ Eric Carmen-esque vocals. Now, 30 years on, Burns is keeping the Scruffs name and music alive with Pop Manifesto, a stately, sweeping mini-masterpiece that proves that Burns and company are still extremely vital. Recorded in Glasgow and mixed at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis, all 14 tracks on Pop Manifesto are brimming with singalong melodies, with many of them sweetened with tasty strings and/or horns. There’s plenty of plaintive jangle, too, with “3 Girls” and “Jihann” evoking the classic Scruffs sound, and “She’s Got it For You” deftly connecting early and late period Beatles. Other tunes feature more of an anthemic feel with insanely catchy choruses - try shaking the refrains of “Situation Critical,” “Stay Shelilah” or “The Test,” if you dare. Burns’ voice has mellowed a bit over the years, as have his lyrics; instead of talking about how his tommy gun “will shoot you faster than some” (wink, nudge), he’s now ruminating on how “you had children, I had the big divorce.” Pop Manifesto is the sound of power pop aging gracefully.
~ John M. Borack
Release date: January 16, 2007
Buy Album from CD Universe
