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The Big Takeover > top-ten
Greg Bartalos's Top Ten — July 27

by Greg Bartalos
27 July 2008

1. Rob Dickinson – Fresh Wine From the Horses (reissue) (Sanctuary/Fontana)
2. Stew – Passing Strange (Ghostlight)
3. Street Dogs – State of Grace (Hell Cat)
4. Paul Westerberg – 49:00 (Dry Wood Music)
5. Adam Franklin – Bolts of Melody (Hi-Speed Soul)
6. Flight of the Conchords – "Business Time"
7. The Cavedogs – Joyrides for Shut-Ins (Capitol)
8. Big Clock – The Boy With the Wooden Head (White Canvas)
9. Martin Newell – A Summer Tamarind (Cherry Red)
10. Ulrich Schnauss – A Strangely Isolated Place (Domino)

Review:

With its amusing title and goofy front cover, The Boy With the Wooden Head could have led one to believe that this CD was a lot more abstract and left-of-center than it actually was. But in fact, Big Clock's alternative pop-rock and guitar-pop was consistently melodic, very accessible, and not without its share of likable harmonies. Clearly, this was a band that was striving for originality. Lead singer Mark Pagani seems to have been influenced by the quirks of David Bowie, Ric Ocasek and Roxy Music leader Bryan Ferry, and yet, rock's electro-acoustic jangly-guitar school is a promient influence on this decent effort. Despite the fact that Wooden Head is a bit uneven, its more memorable cuts (which include "The Sweetest Chemical," "I Remember You" and "Poison Rain") indicated that Big Clock had potential. Heard on violin and background vocals is Tracy Bonham, who would hit big in 1996.

Review by: Alex Henderson at allmusic.com