Little John

Derailer
by Sheril Stanford

It happens whenever a local band experiences a surge in popularity. For every long-time fan ready to tell you that cream does indeed rise to the top, there’ll be five people standing in line to remind you that shit floats. Well, so what. It’s not a crime for a band to craft likable, hooky, pop tunes with accessible lyrics that appeal to the general public. Little John‘s latest release, Derailer, shows they can do just that and more. While the new disc doesn’t quite capture the enticing intensity of Little John live, it is nonetheless packed with consistently exuberant, catchy, romping tunes with refreshingly simple lyrics. Lead vocals by Seth Freeman are pleasingly off kilter and give Little John a distinctive sound.

Radio-friendly cuts “My Limit” and “Weighted Down” exemplify the band’s straight-ahead sound and are the types of tunes that have garnered the band mass appeal. The title track “Derailer,” and “Fell From the Sun,” clocking in at 1:28, are energetic, punchy tunes that belie a punk influence.

If you need your music angry, convoluted, and angst-ridden, by all means avoid Derailer. But if rocking and raucous is your style, you can rely on these guys to show you a good time. Don’t hate them because they’re tuneful.