Harper Blynn - Loneliest Generation

Harper Blynn is Pete Harper and J. Blynn, a pair of 25-year-old New York singer/songwriters who sound like they were born a few decades too late. Loneliest Generation, their retro-pop/rock debut album due May 11, is a throwback to all things classic: lots of harmonies, punchy guitar riffs and a beat that the kids will say "you can dance to." In other words we can understand the "loneliest" bit. After all, when songs such as the effervescent single "25 Years" bristle with giddy power pop pleasures, a piping hot stew of Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Lindsay Buckingham, Jeff Lynne, XTC and Marshall Crenshaw influences, you wonder if you've discovered some amazing, long lost 8-track under the seat of your dad's car.

Loneliest Generation was recorded in New York and produced by veteran David Kahne, a man who knows a thing or two about mining the gold out of rock relics with his work with The Bangles and Mr. Macca among many. The aural majesty of songs such as "25 Years" -- with it's MGMT synth nod -- and the Beatle-ish pop wallop of "Steal Your Love" is crisp and tight with Harper Blynn's multipart harmonies soaring above the zigzagging flurry of humbucking riffs, Mersey Beat drums and strutting bass line patterns. "There isn't a lot of modern stuff with big harmonies that also feels uplifting," says Harper, adding, "our music is definitely pop music. We're kind of hook-mongers." Indeed. Recommended.

Myspace

Harper Blynn - "25 Years" (from the album Loneliest Generation)

Harper Blynn - "Steal Your Love" (from the album Loneliest Generation)