Marvelous 3 play it safe

February 7, 1999
Dave Veitch
Calgary Sun

HEY! ALBUM
Marvelous 3 (Warner)

OK, so they won't tempt you to throw out your old Cheap Trick and Urge Overkill albums.

Still, one shouldn't completely dismiss the modest charm of this Atlanta power-pop trio, whose major-label debut contains your recommended daily allowance of gooey melodies, stick-in-your-mind choruses and good-humoured wordplay.

The performances could use a little more looseness, the songs try too hard to be poppy at times (the obligatory do-do-do refrain on the opening cut You're So Yesterday) and the lyrics on Vampires in Love are more wretched than wry.

But Until You See jangles beautifully, the infectious Freak of the Week is neat bit of pop psychology for pop stars and you got to tip your hat to a band that name-drops The Cure, Blur, Oasis and Kiss in just two songs.