Review: Genuine Fakes “The Striped Album”

Powerpop
I knew I was going to like this band after hearing just a couple of notes to their self-titled introductory piece. That, plus the fact that this record cracked the top 10 of many “best of 2010” lists. The Genuine Fakes are a new pop rock outfit from Sweden and this record shows they mean business. They are out to put powerpop and moustaches back in style!

Three long and hard years were spent perfecting this debut, but the songs play as if they rolled out effortlessly. The band sounds like they are genuinely having fun, and this sunny spirit radiates throughout their music, leaving the listener feeling warm and fuzzy all over. Each song is meticulously crafted, down to every “ooh” and “aah”. With no filler to be found on “The Striped Album”, it is difficult to choose which songs to highlight. “The Promise” gets things off to a proper start, with its engaging verses building to a hugely melodic chorus complete with wonderful backing vocals. “When Reality Hits You” follows a similar formula, and with its Partridge Family styled chorus, it turns out to be another memorable success. My other favorites include “Star”, “I Don’t Want It”, and “Mindset”. The band also does their own take on the Beyoncé ballad, “Irreplaceable”, virtually unrecognizable as a peppy rocker.

You’ll have real love for The Genuine Fakes if you like The Merrymakers, Owsley, or Bleu. “The Striped Album” is available now – don’t miss it! One of the year’s best pieces of ear candy for sure.

iPOD-worthy: ALL TRACKS!

Genuine Fakes on MySpace. Official site.

Listen to “When Reality Hits You”

Free mp3 from The Genuine Fakes

THE GENUINE FAKES is the new hope of powerpop in Sweden. Over a three-year period they have worked on their debut album, which will be released in the fall of 2010. ”When Reality Hits You”, the band's second single from the album is being released on August 20 as a free download through the band's website. Shortly it will also be available on iTunes and Spotify.

The Genuine Fakes consists of four young men with moustaches from Stockholm, Sweden. Singer and guitarist Joey Fake, bassist Morty Fake, drummer Johnny Fake and keyboardist Tommy Fake. They are cousins and second cousins and grew up in the industrial town of Fagersta, where the future holds but three choices for most citizens: take a job at the steel plant, become a criminal or start a band. The boys decided to follow in the footsteps of town mates The Hives and formed a band. Merging influences from the Swedish ”swindie” era of the 90's containing bands such as Popsicle, The Wannadies and Atomic Swing, with American powerpop bands like The Posies, Fountains of Wayne, Weezer and Jellyfish they've managed to create a fresh sound for the 21st century.

A SWINGIN' POWERPOP SINGLE.
The song which is now being released is yet another indication of the quality of the upcoming album. While the first single was more of a rocking swindie-popper, now The Genuine Fakes have mixed elements of Weezer and Jellyfish to come up with this catchy mid-tempo powerpop tune. The hook in the chorus is highly contagious! Don't say we didn't warn you. Singer Joey Fake describes the song: ”It's about the constant search for your place in life. Every now and then you reach a certain point where you feel disillusioned and reality catches up with you. In those moments you have to make a new game plan and try something different in order to go on. But, there's also the fear that in the grand scheme of things everything is pointless anyway, so why bother? And then you make a run for it!” In collaboration with Pristine Music the song is released as a free download in the format of your choice via the band's website (see link below). Shortly it will also be made available for purchase through digital stores such as iTunes and also for streaming on Spotify (distributed by Record Union).

Go get the free mp3 here!

The Genuine Fakes on MySpace. Official site.