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SUGAR BUZZ MAGAZINE

Kelly Mantle
Ever Changing
by Victoria Jane Joyce

So, he's Mickey Mantle's nephew? I like this guy already. Wait. I gotta be objective. Chris Freeman (Dirty Pansy) produced it? I like this. Oh wait. Remain focused. Approach equipment. Hit power. Insert CD. Press play.

Very Lou Reed. Re-worked poppy 60's bubble gum with a cigarette in your mouth. They ain't exactly colored girls going do-do-do-do-do, but close. Oooh-oohs work well in the background vocals of the opener, "Did We Ever Make Love?" Kelly's singing voice is half-talk, half-sung in this song (like I said, very Lou). Writing his own stuff, it's light-handed, modern, sarcastic and sharp.

Freeman's production also keeps it light and builds nicely to full throttle with an even hand. Extra curricular effects here and there flesh out the music. "I Can't Take It Anymore" and "Satellite Baby" have a Theremin (by Bernard Yin) or were they messages from aliens? Cute.

Kelly is a rocker. The fast stuff works better than the slow. The smarter stuff is more convincing than the sentimental. And most of it is fast and sharp. And fun.

Kelly flirts with hip-hop/rap and pulls it off nicely with some extra fast lyric-ing on "Reap What You Sow," (our favorite), quickly reflecting "sow what you know" featuring a real live rapper, Deadlee. Next best is "Questions And Inquiries" (bad title, cool song), very simple and strong. Joey Ramone would be proud.

Nice clean riffs on guitars by Matt Moss on lead and Jose Gocobachi on bass. Uncluttered drums are by Tony Paci. Very bright background vocals by Cindy Pop plus others. Kelly has definitely popped one out of the park. (Jesus, did I just type that?)