The OK Gazette reviews IPO 11!!!

Do the math: 66 songs, three discs, one low price. No wonder the record company is called Not Lame.

The 11th volume of the long-running “International Pop Overthrow” compilation series features cover art that lovingly goofs on Apple’s silhouette-driven iPod ads. But the image is no joke: Those who look forward to the “IPO” discs will be rockin’ out, with little care in the world.

“IPO” and Not Lame are dedicated to the genre of power pop. It’s nowhere as commercial as teen pop or gangsta rap, but those who love their melodies sweet and their guitar chords crunchy, there’s plenty on which to munch. The lack of big names is not the point — exposing your hungry ears to new artists is.

Fervent followers will recognize more than the average Joe, such as Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (from the late, great Jellyfish), who’s represented by “American Affluenza.” But don’t miss the easygoing Sixties sounds of The Tomorrows’ “Effortless Lee” (nice wordplay), the young-punk bop of Blackout 101’s “Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves,” the garage-floor goodness of The Doom Buggies’ “Gravity” and the feel-good surge provided by Bird Mancini ’s “Holly.”

Pop goes your tympanic membrane. Now with power.

—Rod Lott

Link: http://www.okgazette.com/p/12836/a/2294/Default.aspx