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"Out here in deep space, nothing's for sure." The folks who brought us the great fun single Gravity Rocks last year return with an album of space-themed songs which satisfy all my cravings to float to other planets. Gravity Rocks is included on this album, along with the fun, fun, fun Radio Free Alpha Centauri. Fun, wake-up the week music, with an earthly song mid-way through. We've always had (crazy) people walking the streets, but now there seem to be more and more. It's not that there are more weird people, but it's the fault of technology, and makes for a fun song, Cell Phone Or Schizo. ~Eartaste Their best album, a nebulously thematic collection of futuristic songs imbued with the band's usual tongue-in-cheek wit but more melodic and catchier than ever. If there's any criticism of this band, it's that on previous albums, they'd be too good at what they do: you want a song like Elvis Costello? They'd do one exactly like him, or the Kinks, or the Soft Boys, and do it well, and completely avoid putting any kind of stamp on it that could be called their own. But not here. Finally, guitarist/frontman Ian Roure – a sensationally good, fast soloist, equal parts Richard Lloyd and Ron Asheton – finally succumbs to temptation and gives himself the chance to cut loose with a whole bunch of wildly frenetic yet tastefully bluesy solos over the rhythm section's period-perfect, slightly jittery new wave rhythms. The cd opens with the title track, an instrumental that sounds straight out of the Joe Meek catalog featuring one of Roure's signature, lightning-fast runs down the scale. The next cut, Return of the Chimera is a catchy pop song speculating on the downside of genetic engineering, capped by a scorchingly majestic Roure solo out. Driven by WonderWheels frontwoman Liza Garelik's cheery organ, Accidental Planet reverts to the Larch's trademark early 80s feel. Extreme Ape extremely apes a classic Elvis Costello lick. The best song on the cd is the hilarious, slightly Ray Davies-inflected, self-explanatory Cell Phone or Schizo. That's Where You're Wrong, Carruthers is two drunks in a British pub, early 80s style. With its ridiculously hooky two-chord vamp on the chorus, Copernican Principle celebrates the triumph of science over stupidity. Red Planet Express opens like the Church, layers of portentous guitar before the verse kicks in, reverting with deliciously textured overdubs, jangling, crying and punching along on the solo. This album makes a great present for anyone who loves classic songwriting from the golden age of punk and new wave but has already downloaded every available track by Costello, the Adverts, or Dave Edmunds. Or the Act. Or the Tourists (ok, you get the picture). ~Lucid Culture Excellent Pop Rock!! I've listened to this cd several times now & think it's a stunner! Shades of Nick Lowe, XTC, the Byrds & B52s compliment Ian's smart & funny lyrics. And these guys understand the virtue of the 3 minute pop song! The musicianship is top notch, just awesome. I love the way Liza's voice compliments Ian's so perfectly, like it was meant to be. Even if you're not intellectual enough to get references to Watson & Crick, this is a fun, rockin' record with something for everyone. While it borrows from the titans of pop, it's not derivative. Rather, it's a wholly original effort. I can't praise this enough. It's sure to be one of my top records of '08! ~A.S.K. "Gravity Rocks" by The Larch is a very memorable, hook-laden collection of pop/rock tunes. The musical arrangements of these tunes immediately grasp the listener's attention. Catchy, clean guitar riffs and solos, backed by groovy drum arrangements form the musical foundation of these tunes. Moreover, this band proves to have a fine-tuned talent for crafting unforgettable vocal melodies. "That's Where You're Wrong Carruthers" is a superb demonstration of this band's smooth, warm vocals, space-filling background vocal arrangements, skillful lyricism, and tightly synchronized instrumentation. "Copernican Principle" ventures more into an edgier rock arena while maintaining a refreshing pop sensibility. Moreover, this album is crafted with careful, quality production. Fans of vintage, early Beatles-reminiscent pop/rock with an attractive modern flair and witty lyricism will enjoy this CD. ~RadioIndy The Larch CD Release Show at Arlene Grocery, NYC 5/8/08 May 9, 2008 A triumphantly invigorating show. It's always a good sign if a band's newest songs are their best, which was the case with the Larch tonight, playing the cd release show for their new one Gravity Rocks at Arlene's. The most obvious comparison to this long-running Brooklyn band is Squeeze. Even though the two groups don't have much in common musically – rather than the Beatles, the Larch mine a frequently quirky, early 80s vein, as much Robyn Hitchcock as Elvis Costello - they share a subtle sense of humor. And Larch frontman Ian Roure's guitar leads are every bit as sizzling as Glenn Tilbrook's used to be and reputedly still are. Roure made the crowd wait for them – he took all of three all night long, but he made them count. The title track from the new cd, an instrumental, was punctuated by one of them. Their songs are sophisticated yet often ridiculously catchy, such as the brand-new, self-explanatory Cellphone or Schizo and Return of the Chimera, a typically tongue-in-cheek number about genetic engineering, both of which they played tonight. The evening's best numbers were a yet unreleased number, Strawberry Coast, with its darkly incisive, minor-key, tango-inflected central hook, and another potently hook-driven number, Accidental Planet, from the new album. Keyboardist Liza Garelik (who also plays with Roure in another rousing, often fiery band, Liza and the WonderWheels) told the crowd how one of the Larch's songs had become one of the demos that come standard with one manufacturer's ipod, and how besieged with fan email Roure had become as a result. Ross Bonnadonna's bass playing was muscular and inventive (a dexterously bluesy lead guitarist and longtime denizen of the Freddy's Bar scene, he also plays in Paula Carino's band, whatever their name happens to be this week). At the end of tonight's surprisingly short set, the crowd insisted on an encore and the band obliged, Roure finally cutting loose with one of his signature long, screaming, lightning-fast wah-wah solos. Good things are happening with this band, with a couple of recent UK tours and all that fan email. Watch this space. ~Lucid Culture