Search - Bill Lloyd :: Standing on Shoulders of Giants

Power Pop Lives On

Patrick F Clifford | 01/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anything on this record would sound great on AM radio in 1975 along with Big Star (like they would've gotten on radio). It's a cruel world that Bill Lloyd isn't more well known.These songs are definately driven by Lloyd's Rickenbacker and intelligent songwriting. "Cool and Gone" is a power pop masterpeice in it simple theme and melodic impact and "She Won't Be Back" is one of the best "ahh, nuts, I finally get it" songs about a failed relationship to come out in a long time. Very direct and intelligent, but still meaningful to those who've found themselves in a bad (self imposed) position.Along with the incredible (a real national treasure) Marshall Crenshaw, Bill Lloyd is one of the best songwriters still going. I can't wait for the next record."

Great pop with many of your favorite flavors melted together

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/05/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like the best pop, Lloyd's dissolves and recombines his sources until the amalgam has its own, unique flavor. Passing phrases of the Smithereens channeling Revolver-era Beatles and Byrdsian 12-string guitars rub up against the Velvet Crush's version of 60s Big Star jangle and the lyrical sophistication of the dBs. As Lloyd states in the title track, "We're all standing on the shoulders of giants," and he's far from shy about his influences.Unusually, Lloyd's pedigree includes time atop the country chart as part of the mainstream Nashville duo Foster & Lloyd. There's nary a hint of that to be found here. In place of steel twang is layer upon layer of chiming guitars, lush vocal harmonies and a tackle-box full of melodic hooks.Guests include friends from both pop and country (and hard-to-pin-down points in between), including Marshall Crenshaw, Dennis Diken (Smithereens), Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), Al Anderson (NRBQ) and Kim Richey. With Lloyd as master chef, the result is very sweet indeed."

Pop lives. Very listenable.

hyperbolium | 06/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Artfully crafted medium power pop executed flawlessly. Think Marshall Crenshaw on a sunny day or what if Nick Lowe grew up in Memphis."