Review: Hot Nun - Hot Nun

Sometimes you need a power pop album to be a little like a member of the Lollipop Guild: short and sweet.

The self titled release from the Jeff Shelton led Hot Nun will undoubtedly be one of the more Lollipopest efforts of the entire year.

Those who are familiar with Shelton's main vehicle, The Well Wishers, will find Hot Nun a near cousin in terms of sound and song writing, though the focus is more consistently left on the harder edge of the pop dial.     The result is a gem of a little record perfect for tooling around this summer with the windows rolled down.

"Spirit of '76" is really the tone setter for this album, with its lyrics wistfully looking back to the days when "Robin Zander shouted out loud...." and it used to be on the radio. Add to the sentiment crunchy power chords and a ringing guitar solo and you have all the makings.

"Who Do You Love" is a glorious slice of ye olde Rock 'n Roll which makes you wonder why you don't hear more like it these days. "Win It All" is another forceful tune that seems effortless and intense at the same time, and that's not easy to do. No matter how its done the tune screams to be cranked up loud.

That is kinda the MO for the entire album, which may be one reason why it cuts out after only 8 tracks, one of which is a cover of David Bowie's "Queen Bitch." Its best to not overstay your welcome when you are so relentlessly on point, as they certainly are here.

In the end it maybe about as substantial as the lollipop I compared it to at the beginning of this review. But, damn it all, there sure are sweet while they last.

Grade: B+/A-