Material IssueInternational Pop Overthrow [20th Anniversary Edition]
Hip-O Select/Mercury Records [2011]
Fire Note Says: Material Issue are rightly given the remastered and expanded treatment 20 years after this power pop classic was released!
Album Review:
1991 was a special year in music as Nirvana spread Nevermind to the world, the Smashing Pumpkins launched Gish and power pop was completely re-energized by Chicago's Material Issue on their major label debut International Pop Overthrow. It is a record that is full of 3
minute catchy nuggets that turn up the guitars and let the hooks do the talking. The band was sadly cut short with the suicide of lead singer Jim Ellison in 1996 but their influence and legacy has lived on through countless bands and the Chicago IPO festival named affectionately after this record. This 20th Anniversary Edition of IPO not only brings a stellar remastered sound but 8 bonus tracks that were recorded during the album sessions. Most of the tracks appeared on promo only releases but the final track "The Girl With The Saddest Eyes" has never been released or available anywhere. Material Issue is still a band that I am sure a large number of people don't even know existed, so it is nice to see them get the royal treatment here and if you are one of those individuals - please start your power pop education now by picking up a copy of this album, rolling down the windows and just letting it crank!Key Tracks: "Valerie Loves Me", "Diane", "The Girl With The Saddest Eyes"
Bands With Similar Fire:
Cheap Trick
Fountains Of Wayne
Matthew Sweet
Hip-O Select Records
-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony
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