BRAM TCHAIKOVSKY

Funland

Arista AB 4292

Bram Tchaikovsky's Funland is an album of earnest, capable, appealing rock n' roll. While delivering no New Statement, the skill and sincerity with which old lodes are mined revivifies standard rock song forms and makes for a refreshing listen. No pretension here but that's probably because there's little here to justify a big head. More like a clear head, as Bram and cohorts deliver eleven muscular tunes that invite bopping if not thought.

The big and airy production, not so much "Wall of Sound" as hedge or thicket of sound, understands the importance of the drum kit, giving snare and kick wide room and reverb enough for thunder. The guitar playing, however (by Bram and Denis Forbes), highlights the action: a savvy mix of Roger McGuinn's chiminess and Pete Townshend's suspended chord drama, countered by some nice trebled sounds strong on twang - less New Wave than a nod to the old masters -  More Ricky Nelson than Ricky Wilson. Though the lyrics are mainly cleverly inoffensive, there's one real bit of wit in "Why Does My Mother 'Phone Me? (just to say that she don't like me)"

Ultimately, not enough Necessary Negative (hurt, bitterness, arrogance, spite) twists this well done offering into great rock n' roll. Bram's parent group, the Motors, remains the more imaginative and Tchaikovsky takes his place among the English Positivists (Edmunds, Lowe et. al.) - Elvis Costello without the headache or the touch of genius.

-Paul Evans