2005, Long Lost Tricks Music
Grade: B+
Many of the better-known "piano pop" bands out there these days drop a healthy dose of irony and smirking cool in their tunes. Lost Tricks founder and songwriter Trevor Oswalt has no such pretensions. Citing Billy Joel and Bruce Hornsby among his influences, clearly the man has little concern for appealing to the hipster cool, post-punk audience and the blogs they frequent. Yet, they sent us a promo anyway, and the truth is, Lost Tricks is damn cool, and certainly some of the catchiest straight-ahead melodic pop to arrive in some time.
"Freeman" is the kind of earnest, sunny piano anthem that recalls the best tracks on Keane's recent disc. A top-down, summer's day driving tune, the song would put a smile on the face of even the most jaded pop cynic.
"12" is the most restrained track on the self-titled EP, sounding a bit like a good Coldplay ballad, as interpreted by Ben Folds, with some 1970's pop flourishes thrown in.
"Second Chance" brings out the band's soulful side, and "All Around You" also resembles the aforementioned Folds, with some Billy Joel piano licks from his late-70's heyday.
It's all very lush, atmospheric and heart-on-your-sleeve, without sounding overblown. Lost Tricks' debut has no agenda other than creating soaring, infectious pop melodies. On that level, the band succeeds brilliantly.
Download tracks from Lost Trick's self-titled, debut EP at www.LostTricks.com
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