Golden Seals

Here's the first perfect pop record of '01. Dave Merritt - who now resides in Ottawa, after stints in Chapel Hill and London, ON (he fronted smart rock band Adam West in the latter) - and keyboardist Mike Bonnell are the architects of these 11 well-crafted, melodic gems, along with an oddball Beefheart cover thrown in for good measure. Merritt's voice has improved tenfold since his more nasal days in Adam West, as have his melodic gifts. Recently, Merritt and Bonnell penned "Song of the Garden" for the Rheostatics' Harmelodia album (where Sarah Harmer sang it), but every song here is just as good, if not better. The Golden Seals definitely deserve your approval.