Ovlov Buds LP (Green Vinyl)

"I would like to think that the songs on this album are all pop songs at the core," says Steve Hartlett, the band's songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. On first blush, Buds won't shock longtime Ovlov fans, but on repeat listens, those fuzzy, crushing guitars start to feel less like the central focus and more of a delivery system for Hartlett's grander ambitions. "For the past few years, the number of rock bands I've been listening to has grown smaller and smaller," says Hartlett. "Unfortunately, it's the only genre and style I've ever really felt comfortable writing. That's probably mostly because I write everything on a guitar. Don't get me wrong, I love rock music - there's nothing more satisfying than playing an E chord through a Big muff as loud as the amp will go - I just want to slowly progress into writing the most perfectly poppy of pop songs." Buds is dense and dark, but Hartlett's assertion is dead-on: these are just big, bold pop songs. It's still Ovlov, but a more assured version, one that isn't so shy about putting their ambitions on full display

Buds rushes by fast -- eight songs in 25 minutes -- but that works in its favor. It makes it easier to spin the record again and again, soaking in the riffs, hooks, and Harlett's breathtaking songs. TRU may have announced to the indie rock world at large that Ovlov had arrived; Buds lets everyone know they are here to stay.