That said, Bubble have herein produced one hip, smart, sometimes hard then sometimes ethereal collection of rock'n'pop that is quite modernly, but NEVER obviously, "retro" in its approach. This is in no tiny part due to the eleven songs written and brilliantly sung by Dave Foster, then so-expertly recorded by none other than Fred Smith (of Television!) with Jon Spurney's keyboards -- not to mention U.F.O. effects -- the secret sonic weapon.

Best examples? "Tidal Wave" (the great lost "Beggars Banquet" out-take if ever there was one), "Tell Me What You Want" (expertly teetering between verse/chorus like Foo Fighting XTC), "Scary Monster" (TRIPLE Fantasy Plastic Ono Lennon!) and "Labeled Again," the latter of which can even slightly evoke stadium-caliber P. Floyd to the unprepared. These are all the kind of reference points I scarcely have cause to toss lightly 'round these days, I'll have you know ...especially all in one sentence all about one album.

Bubble, then? Yes! Is GOOD!

Bubbadinos, The: We're Really Making Music Now

Buck-O-Nine: Hellos & Goodbyes

[Issue Fifty-Two // September 2002]