Warhola
Big Deep, 2020
8/10
The debut album from the duet of M.I. Devine and his wife Ru, as Famous Letter Writer the pair breed a gritty version of pop that’s as likely to draw comparisons to The Velvet Underground, just as it is legends like Talking Heads.
“Warhol/Warhola” starts the listen warm buzzing as a crunchy version of alt-pop enters the setting, and “19.99” follows with soft female vocals complementing the garage rock nods that certainly sound indebted to the ‘80s.
Halfway through, “Get Out” benefits from an organ as both subdued and busy textures enter the cathartic rocker, while “Share” glides around waves of dreamy instrumentation. “7th Grade”, an album stand out, then displays precise instrumentation as an artistic quality graces the playful pop formula that even references a Trapper Keeper.
Closer to the end, “All In My Head” recruits strategic keys where rhythm is present and welcomed, and “Daughter” exits with a sparse delivery of synth and guitars in the reflective, unpredictable song craft.
Keith Zarriello produced the affair, and did a hell of a job, as every moment here is expertly crafted to elicit the most amount of intrigue as the Devine’s twist and shape their version of pop in a way that you can’t help but be impressed with.
Travels well with: The Shivers- Forever Is A Word; Albert Hammond Jr.- Momentary Masters