COPELAND, ERIC - Black Bubblegum

"Pop has always bubbled up between the cracks of Eric Copeland's musical concoctions, but his love of catchy melodies is clearer than ever on Black Bubblegum. He still approaches everything from left-field, tripping out with giddy playfulness. But the ten tracks here are more song-like than anything hes done before, mixing pop hooks_¢‚Ǩ‚Äùand even a few choruses and bridges_¢‚Ǩ‚Äùwith the repetition of dub. The result is music you can dance to without twisting yourself into knots. \r\n\r\nThe decision to go pop makes Black Bubblegum Copelands most focused album. Where his past records were quick to veer off on far-flung tangents_¢‚Ǩ‚Äùoften with thrilling results_¢‚Ǩ‚Äùhere he keeps his eyes on the main musical idea in each tune. Hes still in love with loops, and every track has a rhythm that holds firm throughout. But now repetition is less an end in itself than a tool for making melodies infectious. \r\n\r\nIn fact, the best songs are so infectious that Copeland himself sounds intoxicated by them. The call-and-response vocals of "Rip It" could be some alternate-universe party anthem chanted by spring-breakers. Spry beats dot the slithery "Fuck It Up" and the stoner hip-hop of "On." "Dont Beat Your Baby" uses chunky guitar chords and searing solos to set its hooks on fire. \r\n\r\nBlack Bubblegum might seem like a fleeting pleasure destined to slip quickly from memory, but theres more to it than instant gratification. As with all of Copelands records, surprising angles and intriguing touches are strewn throughout. But this is also an incredibly fun record, which is enough reason to play it over and over." - Marc Masters/Resident Advisor.