Seventy Sevens

Item: Seventy Sevens EP
Author: Israel Kloss

Seventy Sevens EP

(1999)

Reviewed by Israel Kloss

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Fools of the WorldThe Phantom Tollbooth1999

pop rock

This latest offering from the 77s is another hit. Mike Roe, Mark Harmon and Bruce Spencer have created what sounds like a mix of Roe's "Row the Boat Ashore" and the 77s "Drowning with Land in Sight." These are three guys who just can't put out junk if you held a gun to each of their heads.

With this, their 9th album (not including their compilations), it's certainly apparent why they are one of the only Christian bands to ever have an early 80s video on MTV. Roe's voice is stunning as always and crystal clear. He has the passion of U2's Bono and the sarcastic tone of Sting. Roe's subtle intelligence shines through every song. His quiet, lilting voice hypnotizes, then turns on a dime into fits of rage, jolting the listener into an attentive salute. With all this going for him, it makes sense that the only band to eclipse the 77s' critically praised beginnings with Island Records in 1989 was Island's featured album--U2's Joshua Tree (hailed by many as the best rock album of all time).

Track number two, "Sevens," is a slightly slower number, with some chord progressions that sound like they were lifted straight from Roe's "Row the Boat Ashore." In this song, Roe tweaks his voice, sounding a bit like the Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan. Roe, Harmon and Spencer mix beautifully in the vocals, as Roe snarls and slithers through his snide lyrics. Deeply emotional words are ingrained in every 77s album and Roe delivers them with power.

In "Unbalanced," Harmon and Roe let the guitars soar and intermingle in a fabulous mix with Roe's voice. The mixing of Roe's voice and the guitars is fantastic on every 77s album, and this album is no exception. This song sounds closer to the 77s "Drowning With Land in Sight" style.

If the 77s would just sell out to a major label they would be huge. But their relative obscurity in the mainstream music scene despite their mainstream sound has served to increase the loyalty of their rabid fans both nationally and internationally.

This is a must-have EP for anyone who even remotely likes U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Bruce Springsteen, Sting or anything from the thoughtful end of rock and roll.

5 tocks