Release date: Feb. 20, 2007

Counter Records

www.poplevi.com

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Rating: 4/5

Pop Levi is a musical genius.

His solo LP debut “The Return To Form Black Magick Party” scans across enough genres that there’s a little bit of something here for everyone, from hyper pop noir to seductive blues. What’s even better is the way this album flows naturally and congruently, from start to finish, with such a great selection of tracks that never seem out of place.

With Hendrix-style blues lead and rough, distorted bass, “Black Magick” starts out smoothly with an energetic kick. “Sugar Assault Me” is a little more pop than the following two tracks, but it gives a good taste of what’s to come later. “Blue Honey” and “(A Style Called) Cryin’ Chic” are both mellow, repetitive melody of these two soulful tracks does well to stand out at the beginning, as it shows that Levi has incredible songwriting talent.

It’s no question that this Liverpool-born musician really knows how to rock. Pop Levi uses formulaic structures to form art, not just generic music in the usual configuration, and his persona shines through brightly. This album can be viewed in a lot of ways – it’s either enough pop, enough rock or too much of both. With piano and Beatles-style weirdness between a few tracks, this album covers it all, from the early ’60s to present.

Without warning, by the fourth track, Levi busts into retro pop with “Pick-Me-Up Uppercut,” asking for a pick-me-up sucker punch and mumbling something about dancing. The lyrics add spunk to the music but don’t travel too deep of topics.

Levi’s lyrics mainly speak of love, which suit the latter half of the album (the side that leans toward pop) a little bit better, though it’s not out of place on the blues tracks either. He spews them out without actually singing, but it fits the style of the music.

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The music jumps between heavy pop and slower tracks, such as the guitar-strummed “Skip Ghetto” and a sparkling “Flirting.” With the Zeppelin-esque “Mournin’ Light,” Levi bring things back to the blues before venturing off into space with three more slower tracks to finish with a little bit more of an experimental sound.

“Black Magick” is insanely addicting and phantasmal fun – definitely an indie record to buy for fans of classic rock with a new edge. And if the word “pop” throws you into a coma, at least give this one a try, you may be surprised.