Well-Tempered Overlord, The

“The Well-Tempered Overlord” Overlord
Overlord’s latest album is brimming with high-energy, catchy power pop-rock in the style of songs that were cranked out by the songwriting factories of the 1960s and 1970s. That’s not a bad thing! Places such as NYC’s Brill Building and Don Kirshner’s Dimension Records relied on future superstars such as Carole King to craft hit songs. Overlord’s arrangements are fresh — never formulaic — with compelling lyrics, strong lead vocals, and rich harmonies. RIYL: New Pornographers, Destroyer, and chart-topping bands of the 60s and 70s.
— Francis

Recommended: 2, 1, 4, 6, 9. No FCCs detected.

1. (2:56) You’re Gonna Love This One – Jangly guitars and skittering synths in a bright, up-tempo pop-rock anthem. Melodic vocals. ****
2. (3:17) Mission to Mars – Straight-ahead pop-rock with a dynamic bass line and high vocal harmonies. Reminiscent of “Pleasant Valley Sunday” by the Monkees (a Carole King composition!). ****
3. (2:29) It’s a Travesty – Reverbed, surf-y guitars with tom-toms and vocals that are sung in point-counterpoint style. Guitars sound like old-fashioned Ventures (beach instrumentalists).
4. (3:38) Interior World – Well-mannered chamber-pop ballad with chime-y guitar and dazzling synth orchestration. ***
5. (4:25) Strange Fiction – Harsh, swirling, buzzy. Growling rocker. A bit out of place.
6. (2:54) Incredibly Human – Up-tempo rock with rich harmonies, march-like drumming and stingers at the end of each verse. Electric piano in lead break. **
7. (1:56) Buddhas of Bamiyan – Brief, bouncy and funky. Playful tune with fun synths.
8. (2:19) Posthumous Honors – Rapid-fire drumming and bass in a frantic punk style. Expertly picked guitar and repetitive synth. Ironic lyrics wail, “My whole life was a bad idea.” Also very short.
9. (4:36) Give Up your Dreams – Upbeat pop-rock anthem. Strummed electric guitar, and driving bass line. Big harmonies. **
10. (2:59) My Absence Will Go Unnoticed – 1960s poppy rock with a strong backbeat and endlessly rhyming vocals.