Scissors For Lefty: "Underhanded Romance"

Even though the mainstream music industry has pretty much given up on developing and promoting new artists, there are still bands out there who are capable of pulling off an important new recording all on their own. Scissors For Lefty, on Eeeny Meeinie Records (Los Angeles), are a foot-stomping amalgamation of modern dance rock and indie pop. Blessed with instrumental skills and a keen sense of melody, the four lads toss off slick keyboard and guitar riffs with glee. Lead vocalist Bryan Garza sounds like Jarvis Cocker on a speed binge, as he easily frolics his way through the albums eleven tracks.

A fluttery-sounding piano is quickly trounced upon by a massive bass beat and stuttering multi-tracked guitars that would have made INXS cry in the opening track, "Nickels and Dimes." The chorus is a HUGE, Killers-style blast of volume and energy, determined to increase the pulse of even the most jaded listener. The band switches to a light and bouncy mood with "Next to Argyle," which is similar in scope to the Cure's "Lovecats" but possesses a whole lot more "oomph." Synthesized blips and bleeps introduce "Lay Down Your Weapons," a track that eventually manages to use every instrument and production trick that in the modern-rock handbook.

Underhanded Romance continues with pounding dance rock ("Ghetto Ways"), lushly romantic ballads ("X's Are Forever"), Pulp/Cure inspired pop heroics ("Wandering Arms"), big music that's comfortable in any Killer's fan's iPod ("Save it Cory"), and simple yet lovely modern-pop ("Marsha").

Scissors For Lefty will satisfy any fan of the bands mentioned in this review. Underhanded Romance is a fun and memorable. Even though the band obviously embraces the recent dance-pop trend, the record manages to sound fresh and original.