I’ve yet to determine the necessity that these power-pop bands feel for the addition of keyboards. RHV’s full length debut purports to be a “synth-pop gem,” but the occasional melody chord of a Casio does not a synth-pop song make. This band is all about guitars, guitars and goofy-ass Weezer-isms. Synth-pop is the freakin’ Pet Shop Boys, not a watered-down version of the Get Up Kids. (Plus, that’s just a fifth guy with big-ass gear in the van, so why bother?) So, if you can use your imagination to turn the keyboards down even lower in the mix, you’ll realize these erstwhile Midwesterners have written a handful of tight, catchy rock songs that will put a nice little smile on your face. And let’s just leave it at that.
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2003.