Given the combination of
Model Rockets' singer John Ramberg,
Young Fresh Fellows' bassist Jim Sangster, and his
Minus 5 brother Johnny,
the Tripwires know plenty about how to make great, punky '60s-esque garage pop and big guitar power pop. Their listed influences include
Los Shakers,
the Hollies,
the Move,
Badfinger,
Action,
the Bee Gees,
Cheap Trick,
Replacements,
Nick Lowe, and
the Fastbacks. Geez, is that all? And man, does
House to House sound like all those bands blended together with a double dose of
Lowe and a side order of
Let's Active and early
Beau Brummels, all filtered (amazingly) through the classic pre-grunge Seattle sound of
the Fellows (especially), lighter
Fastbacks, Squirrels,
Once for Kicks,
Picketts,
Posies, and
Smugglers, like a standard-issue high school jacket. Every song is as catchy and harmonic as the last, dripping with power pop clarity, beat group/Merseybeat harmonies, and rave-up ringing chords. Ahhh. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover