Pop hooks, catchy lyrics and a Moog synthesizer to bring it all together...doesn't get much better for the “powerpop” scene. N.U. Machine is Popgun's latest effort to date. The third on a line of releases that has made them a namestay in the Sacramento Area and they hope propels them to something much larger as their press release states, “Popgun is headed for bigger and better things, so climb on board this rocket and enjoy the ride!” A couple of tracks reminded me of the first time I heard the self titled Weezer album. Also,if you're a fan of New Pornographers or Blank Pages.
the good: CD's well put together; all powerpop fans out there have a solid release to listen to the bad: a little too repetitive for my taste the ugly: nut'n ugly about this one
potty-mouth tracks: none

(note: all numbers are out of 10, i.e. 5/10) 1.Ones and Zeros: opens with the good 'ole Moog and moves to guitar-driven chords; the Moog has a couple of solos (8) 2.Maybe You Don't: guitar w/ some Moog; vocals are predominant (7) 3.Neutron Bomb: a little faster than tracks 1&2 (7) 4.Penny: the beginning sounds like Oasis' track “Lately”; slower (7) 5.Just Video: guitar riffs to open; offset beats in the intro; bass is accentuated (8) 6.Hold Me Back: a punk song, but not; Moog makes another appearance (7) 7.About the Little Things: the “ballad” of the record; the girls in the crowd fall over to this one and scream (8) 8.Pretty Baby: their Beatles influence shines loud and clear; I like the bass-line in this one (9) 9.Naked: longest track of the album; intro is kinda Stones-like (8) 10.Pacemaker: Moog is central part of intro w/ vocals taking over after (8) 11.N.U.Machine: slower track to bring the album to a close; of course the Moog's there (with solos even), what didyou expect? (8)

review courtesy of rE\dOx