TEN STORY LOVE: Ten Story Love

Ten Story Love

Ten Story Love

© 1999 TSL (600665728624)

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Roots rock and power pop; Fully-amped songs with meaty hooks and tasty melodies.

tracks

1 The Perfect Girl
2 Go Fish
3 Stuck
4 Marian On The Steps
5 It Happens Every Time
6 Human Torch
7 The Way We Live
8 The Company Store
9 Grinding Wheel
10 All Cried Out
11 In A Different World
12 Breakdown Lane
13 This Island Earth

notes

Ten Story Love plays guitar-powered pop; Put Matthew Sweet, Cheap Trick, Todd Rundgren, Tom Petty, Fountains of Wayne and Paul Westerberg in a blender... besides the big mess, it just might come out sounding something like Ten Story Love.

Ten Story Love is the name of both the band and their first CD, a collection of 13 songs about life, love, work, philosophy, and even a 'Big Question' or two. Based in the New England/Boston area, Ten Story Love writes and performs something between Power Pop & Garage Rock. Their songs center on smart lyrics wrapped around tasty, memorable melodies with anthemic guitars and unbridled energy. While the dual guitar team of Brad Page & Scot Gibbs are formidable as soloists, Ten Story Love has been called 'the Jedi Masters of the lost art of rhythm guitar'.

This is a disc chock-full of loud, rocking pop with meaty hooks and heart, spirit and soul to spare. Looking both backward and forward at the same time, the album fuses Kinks, Big Star and White Album-era Beatles influences effortlessly without any retro hangover. Each song has a hook and melody that in a better world, would be all over the radio.

reviews

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  • Crank it up, it's infectious.
    author: Gajoob

    The band packs a punch with extremely solid, radio-friendly songs which propel it to the top ranks of bands doing the indie guitar rock thing. The songs here are immediately engaging; the kind you'll find yourself cranking up and happily joining into their infectious feel.

  • author: limeygit

    check out the review at http://www.indiemonkey.com for the full scoop

  • author: Demorama

    Demorama has this to say about Ten Story Love: "[Ten Story Love] alludes to some time and place either past or yet to come where accessible, simple, catchy, sometimes folksy pop didn't (or won't) have to be vapid, slick and cliché -- 1966, maybe, when the Byrds and the Who were doing it. The lyrics do a good job of sustaining metaphors through the course of a four-minute song without getting repetitious, like The Perfect Girl -- a love(sick) song that brings a new, literal bent to the term 'art rock' (they reference Picasso and Monet like Puff Daddy name-drops designer labels). The production is clean, the rhythm and lead guitars mesh together well and there are enough curveballs thrown in to keep it nicely varied." -- Nate Patrin, Demorama (Visit their website at: http://www.demorama.com/archives/apr1999/index.html)

  • author: Splendid E-Zine

    Splendid E-Zine sayz: "It's rock 'n' roll the good ol' fashioned way, as Ten Story Love employs the seemingly timeless electric guitar as its primary weapon and uses classic rock as a stalwart reference point. With an emphasis on lyrical astuteness, tunes like Human Torch and Stuck focus on the complex emotions that mold our everyday lives. Thoughtful and personal yet not overly draining, the majority of tunes here provide for a carefree, affable listening experience." -- Andrew Magilow, Splendid e-zine

  • author: Babysue magazine

    Babysue Magazine writes: "Good DIY stuff from a band that's off to a great start. Ten Story Love's fuzz guitar-based pop tunes are simple and catchy...and they borrow a lot of good ideas from bands past and present. Whoever had his hands on the knobs for this one knew what he was doing...the sound quality KICKS. Good lyrics complete the package...making tunes like The Perfect Girl, Stuck, and In A Different World stand up and take notice."

  • author: TransAction Magazine

    If you're looking for an album of straight-forward and humble yet shiny songs, check out Ten Story Love's self titled release. Listen a bit more carefully and you may notice traces of early 70s arena rock, late 80s power-pop as well as a touch of country. They may be the epitome of a do-it-yourself band, but Ten Story Love gives the tag a good name. The digital sound and production quality is top quality. Brad Page (guitars & vocals), Scott Gibbs (guitars & vocals), and Michael Haught (bass) enlisted the talents of former industrial drummer Jason Waugaman. Waugaman's playing alone makes the album worth checking out. -- Darren Paltrowitz, TransAction Magazine

  • author: Joel Hedge (Indie-Music)

    "Ten Story Love" is the most pure fun I have had listening to an independent disc in a while. The disc progresses slowly from an early '80s pop just for the bubble gum of it to more of a modern rock-alternative. The Perfect Girl starts off with some big, clean, fun chords. The easy changes and smooth backing vocals give an early '80s pop sound. What if Eddie Money or Elvis Costello sang for The Cars? Go Fish has some of what I like about The Police in overall sound. This track keeps the fun '80s theme with a fast tempo and clean attitude. Go Fish has a nod to the alternative bands of the time such as Husker Du and The Meat Puppets. "Ten Story Love" claims guitar-pop influences from Mathew Sweet, Todd Rundgren, Badfinger, Paul Westerberg, The Smithereens, Kula Shaker, The Pursuit of Happiness, Big Star, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Cheap Trick, Wilco and Aimee Mann. Stuck features a light a crisp guitar produced like that of Rush's Alex Lifeson. This is nice, but the most subtle song is Human Torch. Small differences in the vocal production give Human Torch appeal. It never gets old because it keeps changing without losing touch with it's initial hook. As far as album order goes, the transition from Human Torch to the more rocking The Way We Live is a rough one. It probably should have been avoided somehow. In the last quarter of the album, "Ten Story Love" shows off its rock chops. Guitars are still the main features of these songs, but they are more crunchy and more stylized here. Grinding Wheel is the hardest song on the disc. The guitar is muddied yet appealing. It is just as listenable as the candied early tracks. All Cried Out features funkier vocals and some jazzily produced chords. Catch the mellifluous vocal section just before the breakdown. After all this, the best radio single on the disc has to be Breakdown Lane. The lyrics are a comparison between being let out of a relationship and being let out on the highway. Anyone who doesn't know all the words to "Breakdown Lane" by the end of the first listen please raise your hand. If the feeling persists, listen to the song again or buy the CD. --Jeff Hedge, Indie-Music.com

  • author: Aiding & Abetting

    In "Aiding & Abetting" #178, Jon Worley writes: "[This is] The sort of band you know is great live. These songs sound like they've been worked out on more than a few stages (even if only three people were in the audience). The production sound is great, better than some major label albums I've heard. Raw enough to keep that essential ragged feeling, but sharp enough to bring everything into clarity. Um, this is pretty damned good. If I had a label, I'd sign them. And you know I don't say that a lot. These guys are very good at what they do. I think I'm gonna listen to the disc all over again. And maybe a few times after that.

  • author: Yannis Florakis

    Yannis Florakis of Babylon (fanzine from Greece) writes: "Ten Story Love's debut CD is an authentic rock album featuring 13 power-pop songs. The band seems to know well how to write tunes you can easily remember for a long time. Simple yet authentic, loud yet melodic, Ten Story Love's debut album is the perfect representative of the new American music scene with the many great song-oriented rock bands... Anyway you see it, Ten Story Love's debut is a promising beginning." -- Yannis Florakis, Babylon

  • author: Claudio Sossi

    Clausio Sossi of "Shake It Up!" writes: Consider Ten Story Love a rock band that has a solid ear for melody. Consider Ten Story Love to be a group of fine musicians. While you're at it, consider them to be pretty darn good, too. Good honest rock and roll is the order of the day here, and that's always a welcome thing. The times that the band strays from their mark is pretty minimal (namely the rather ordinary The Company Store and the bluesy Grinding Wheel), as they otherwise spend their time focussed on making their songs as memorable and effective as possible. The hard hooks of The Perfect Girl and It Happens Every Time are irresistable as is the rhythm and blues feel of the cool In A Different World. There's some tasteful funk that appears on the breaks on Stuck, and the band wears it on their sleeves on the beautiful Marian On The Steps. There's a wonderful diversity here, and the band knows how to make a good song even better. Breakdown Lane and The Way We Live both have a slight roots-rock feel that works wonderfully, with the latter winning out by way of some solid harmonies to complement a breezy rhythm. The band's sound also benefits from the production efforts of band member Brad Page, who does a fantastic job of making the band sound as good as they deserve to sound. There's a lot of passion and talent on Ten Story Love and it's a treat to experience. Really, there's nowhere for this band to go but up. I have a feeling they'll live up to their name.

  • author: Ben Ohmart, Music Dish

    "Make no mistake. This is one of the tightest sounding bands I've heard in a while. They do what they do in music better than anyone. For this reason, my crystal balls are telling me that they're going to be on the top 40 before I die... PLEASE listen to them."

  • author: Jeff Anderson, Indie Jour

    Ten Story Love fills their self-titled CD with plenty of well-crafted pop/rock. The rhythms are solid, the guitars alternating between flawless rhythm and jangling REM/Byrds riffs. The lyrics are often clever and the melodies hummable. Among the many standout tracks, "Marian On The Steps" deserves note, as does "Stuck". From the instant of pressing play and hearing the opening chords of "The Perfect Girl", you know that this four piece is a tight unit. The sincere power of this pop is at first reminiscent of great live bands such as The Knack and The Smithereens, until the vocals change the scape. Up front and personal, the vocals in Ten Story Love are hard to categorize. Several artists come to mind: Elvis Costello, David Johanssen, Joey Ramone. Perhaps a composite of all three. This is a band that seems very well suited to live shows in packed bars & clubs. Their sound is accessible and familiar but not unoriginal by any stretch. Find out more about Ten Story Love by visiting their official website (http://www.tenstorylove.com). If you see their name in a band lineup at your local club, turn off the t.v. and GO CHECK 'EM OUT. -Review by Jeff Anderson ©1999 Indie Journal

  • author: Consumable Online

    On their total DIY debut, these four boys from New England remind us why we like rock and roll in the first place: it's fun! The band has done their homework, expertly moving from one style to another... Ten Story Love show they have a wide and very excellent taste in music... The fact that this CD exists is proof enough that there are still people who care about rock and roll, and bands like Ten Story Love deserve our support. -- Michael Van Gorden, "Consumable Online"

  • author: Altar Native 'zine

    Every now and again a band comes along that force you to listen to their CD, and suddenly, you’re in love. You can’t seem to put your finger on it, but the CD simply makes you feel good... The band delivers an intense lyrical journey while maintaining a light-hearted, upbeat mood throughout... Filled with wonderful analogies and superb metaphors, Ten Story Love puts the 'art' back in 'smart'. -- Oscar Aparicio, "Altar Native" issue #10, May 1999

  • author: Chris Medaglia

    Life, love, art, religion, politics. It's all here in a neatly polished package called Ten Story Love, the self-produced first album for this group hailing from New England. From the chunky opening riff of "The Perfect Girl" to the closing NASA recording of "This Island Earth", this recording shines with solid performances, pop sensibilities, and very clean recording, all the more impressive since it was recorded at guitarist/vocalist Brad Page's house. The record starts off with the upbeat pop-rocker "The Perfect Girl", which uses art as a metaphor to decribe the timeless beauty of an inaccessible (of course) girl and slides right into "Go Fish", a driving anthem propelled by the driving bass and drums of Michael Haught and Jason Waugaman, respectively. Guitarist/vocalist Scot Gibbs picks up the vocal chores on "Stuck", which happens to be my favorite with its funky/stoney groove. The broken-record passages are a brilliant homage to vinyl records, and a fitting tribute to the music Ten Story Love grew up on. Tangy, twangy guitars add a hint of Southern Rock spice to several of the songs, in particular "The Way We Live", "Human Torch", and "Breakdown Lane", all of which have great hooks and crafty changes. The welcome mix of lyric styles resonate on "It Happens Every Time", "In A Different World" and "This Island Earth". "It Happens..." echoes the frustrations of maintaining any relationship and the often confusing messages that pass between friends and lovers. "In A Different World" addresses all the extraneous mental noise that emanates from our television sets and penetrates our psyches, making us wish for a simpler life, while "This Island Earth" captures the truly subjective nature of religious beliefs (or non-beliefs) with wry wit, cynicism and a dash of sarcasm. "Marian On The Steps" uses Marian Anderson's 1939 recital at the Lincoln Memorial as a backdrop for a message of freedom, individuality and empowerment, providing an uplifting set of lyrics to a memorable, well-crafted pop song that transcends the usual radio fare, while retaining the pop qualities that make a true radio hit. Brad Page's singing on this song shines the brightest, an understated yet powerful delivery of simple and profound lyrics. I would pick this song or "The Perfect Girl" to be the breakout hits from this refreshingly accessible record. Listen and enjoy!!

  • author: Mike

    This truly is life, captured on disc. There are 13 songs on this CD-each strikes a different chord, awakens a different feeling, all woven together to form the experience which is Ten Story Love. The emotions run the gamut from the wistful lusting of "Perfect Girl" to the down-in-the-dumpster pain of "Stuck". Brad and Scot's vocals are brimming with feeling, their guitar work energetic, the rhythm section of Mike and Jason driving the band and keeping the energy level high. They have managed to deal with the issues that affect us all-freedom, love, loss, pain, and the day-to-day monotony without the dark loathing of the Cure's Robert Smith nor the naivete of the numerous one-hit wonders of the past decade. They have dealt with these feelings and emotions with a positive energy and reflectionary tone which makes the songs genuine and uplifting. There is truly something here for everyone. I have not seen them live, but after feeling the energy of their new disc, I cannot wait...after hearing for yourself, I'm sure I'll be seeing you at the next "Love-In"!

  • author: Kevin

    Up-beat, easy to listen to, and diverse - a definate winner! I love many types of music (Rock, Jazz, R&B, Classical, Hip-Hop, Pop), but I am no music expert. Rather than listening for words that "speak to me", I listen for the rhythm and a good overall sound. Ten Story Love's songs are up-beat, easy to listen to, and diverse. I especially like "The Perfect Girl", "Marian On The Steps", and "The Way We Live". I wouldn't be surprised if at least 2 of these received some serious air-time from local stations. If you like the kind of music that keeps you going without distracting you from what you are doing, you'll like this cd. This is the first that I've heard of these guys and I'm glad I made the purchase.

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