Around the beginning of the 2000s, no matter how hard they tried, many good female-fronted power pop bands couldn't help but be compared to
No Doubt. Flight 180's sophomore release,
Girls and Boys, is a carbon copy of the aforementioned. Vocalist Kimmy Tennberg not only sounds like
Gwen Stefani, but the nuances in her voice are the same as well. Once the comparisons are put aside, listeners are left with several well-written cuts and a mishmash of great music. "Sorry" would be a staple on secular radio. The cut boasts some superb horn work and the passionate vocals of Tennberg. "I Want a Guy" has a lot of flare, venturing into the three-chord power pop of the Go-Go's. "Prom Queen" is the perfect vehicle for the stylings of Flight 180. The tune is boosted by a solid rhythm and features an infectious chorus. One constant throughout
Girls and Boys is the musicianship. Guitarist Chris Tennberg shifts effortlessly from ska-laced ditties to standard rock fare without missing a beat. Just as enduring are the horns on the disc, which aid nicely in boasting the tunes' textures.
Girls and Boys isn't rocket science. What it is though, is a likeable, danceable stroll through the park. ~ Steven Douglas Losey