By Raymond Simon
Mike Ingenthron and Tony Skalicky jokingly describe their band, the Get Help, as a "veritable supergroup of unknown musicians." It might be more accurate to say that the musicians on this release so thoroughly embody the guitar-driven pop-rock that they "disappear" in the music, and that's meant as a compliment.
Along with drummer Gene D'Avolio and bassist John Van Atta, they've fashioned eleven tracks featuring pensive lyrics buoyed by hooks and melody. The opening number, "The Opulence of a Clear Blue Sky," establishes the tone: enough guitar to catch listeners' attention but not so much to put them off, catchy keyboards, and a solid rhythm section.
The band has a "sound," but it's willing to mix things up. On "Big Mistake," a simple acoustic guitar figure forms the basis of the song, but it gets augmented by some great, sloppy, distorted electric guitar. Elsewhere, "I Guess, You Know" appears to be an instrumental, simmering for more than two and a half minutes before the vocalist enters, says his piece, and quickly absconds. The longest cut on the record, it's all crashing and ringing and, surprisingly, is followed by an acoustic track. All in all, well worth a listen.
Rating: Listenable
