Album Review by EDF
It is amazing how music seems to go round in circles. One minute the Supertramp / Billy Joel influenced storytelling tunes are in fashion, the next minute they are not. Which brings us to Hugo, who describe them as an ‘indie pop piano rock’ act. They are three quarters correct with their self-description because pop, in modern day terms, they are not. This is a good thing as pop comes and goes just like the seasons.
This Miami based trio is fronted by the songwriting, ivory tinkling Jonathan Ungar. This seven track EP features songs like HAPPINESS, which is about how the clothes you wear will evoke people to judge your sexuality, “I didn’t know to be straight you had to be dull and mellow” is the comeback from the obvious straight character in the song. The more familiar tale of girl trouble and perplexed emotions can be heard in STEFANIE, “you’re disarrayed, dismayed and now I’m confused”.
HALF SONG musically covers The Doors RIDERS ON THE STORM territory, while on other tracks you will come across Steely Dan type instrumental breaks. Ungar’s piano playing sets both the tone and the rhythm for these tracks. Surprisingly they come across sounding like a trio of old pros but judging from their mugshots, these guys look like they are only in their twenties. Even though they boldly call themselves pop, at times they sound more like Billy Joel circa 1975. By then Billy Joel was only two years away from his breakthrough album THE STRANGER. In contrast, these guys sound like they have a lot more to offer.
