Archie Powell & The Exports Decide To Skip Work

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 1, 2010 4:00PM

Archie Powell & the Exports are a Chicago quartet -- actually led by a young gentleman named Archie Powell -- that specialize in that certain blend of slightly twangy Midwestern pop-rock. Their Loose Change EP brought the group to our notice with its finely crafted songs and exuberant attitudes and they've only improved on what was already a successful formula with their new full-length Skip Work.

The album's twelve songs chug along cheerily at a gratifying pace, and Powell's delivery makes you want to sidle up and buy him a beer. The group's vice is clearly it's own, but there's a clear playfulness in the songs' delivery. When they snag a T. Rex riff you find yourself smiling along at the band's wink as they turn it on it's head and slam it into a rave-up of a chorus. In fact the most remarkable thing about this album is that there ain't a stinker of a melody in the whole collection. Every tune is a winner, plastering a smile across even the most frowny mug, making Skip Work a true pleasure to listen to over and over again. Their EP had us wanting more and the band delivered far beyond our expectations.

The band is kicking off a mini Midwest and East Coast tour with their CD release show at Beat Kitchen tonight, so we suggest you show up, take in some fine local tuneage, and send the band off with a bang.

MP3: Archie Powell & the Exports "Enough About Me"

Archie Powell & The Exports plays tonight, October 1, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont, 9 p.m., $8, 21+