Boy Wonder

Break the Spell, Etc.
by Scott Hefflon

Boston pop doesn’t get much sweeter than Boy Wonder. This five-song, 15 minute, self-produced EP captures the sugary magic of the Wonderkids after the dissolve of CherryDisc (which released ’97’s Wonder-Wear), yet before global sugar rush. Opening with “Break the Spell,” Paula Kelley (guitarist/singer/songwriter) and her Boys have perhaps created the pop gem that’ll take them the full distance. And closing with the Turtles’ “Elenore” (sung by bassist Josh Arakelian) is always a way to win hearts. Surprisingly, Paula shares some vocal duties with the Boys (aside from the always infectious harmonies they dish out), and while her dippy-sweet voice is the candy apple your head bobs for, the soft male vocals fill out the sound.

While having elements of female-fronted Boston pop (the list is long and well-documented), Boy Wonder distinguish themselves by digging past the shallow appeal of Melrose Place theme songs. They come out of the closet as Bee Gees fans (pre-disco, I might add), snappy dressers, and addicted to the addictive jangle of classic bubblegum pop (occasionally with personal, dark-tinted lyrics, but all the better for it) from the days of Beach Boy harmonies and innocent, good, clean fun.
(http://wondergigs.tripod.com/)