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Hello Stranger
Hello Stranger (Aeronaut)
By: Scott D. Lewis
 Gems like this make horrors such having to listen to the new Everclear
album worth the time and agony. The debut from this Los Angeles-based
electro-pop trio is simply one of the most engaging and entertaining
records I?ve heard all year and one of the most promising introductions
I?ve ever encountered. The press will get distracted with asides such
as that the album was produced by the legendary Ry Cooder (his son,
Joachim Herbert Cooder, plays drums, keyboards and clavinet in the
band), that the band sports ornate costumes and stages elaborate photo
shoots, or that singer Juliette Monique Commagere is flat-out gorgeous
and still likes to carry around a crossbow like she did when the band
was named Vagenius. Those tidbits are all well and good, but Hello
Stranger?s music is great and, gasp, the band sounds like it?s having a
blast making it. The baker?s dozen treats start off with the sonic
space ride of ?Take it to the Maxx.? But Commagere?s hazy, come-hither
voice grounds the addictive slice of dance-pop and carries it
effortlessly along. Dizzying dancefloor energy flows through Hello
Stranger, but it?s the kind of aerobic pop that?s got smarts, and each
track is tempered with contrasting elements to bring one pleasing
surprise after the other. ?My Sharona? gets a nod during ?Here We Go
Again,? but then elements as diverse as the Bangles and Brazilian Girls
enter into the fun fold. Things get dreamy in Lisa Germano?s fashion a
bit down the line and then that?s followed up by a slice of pretty
folk-pop that wakes up and worms its way through your ears right down
to your feet. Commagere?s clear, angelic voice is front-and-center on
the lazy, country-tinged ?We Used to Talk,? but the band picks the pace
up again and delivers a zippy, keys-heavy piece of pop that bounces
around like a sonic superball. And that?s what?s so great about Hello
Stranger, just when you think you?ve nailed their sound down, they pull
out another cool trick that leaves you delightfully puzzled and wanting
more. Hello Stranger? Hell yeah!
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