Love Kit's first album suggested the band had the potential of becoming America's next (or last) great power pop band, and their second set,
Who's Afraid of the Radio Tower?, showed them building on the strengths of 10 Milligram Day while taking their talents in several new directions. Most of
Who's Afraid of the Radio Tower? was recorded by the band themselves at their rehearsal space, and this more organic approach certainly suited their music; the production boasts more punch and less varnish than their first album, and the rockers connect with greater force this time out (though the hardest-rocking number, "Bookmobile," was recorded by noted analog connoisseur Jim Diamond at his Ghetto Recorders studio in Detroit). The album's more languid moments, however, are a far cry from the token jangle pop numbers on 10 Milligram Day, displaying an more experimental (and slightly psychedelic) influence and a willingness to play with the possibilities of the recording process. Eddie Jemison and Rich Sparks' guitars lock together with greater strength, bassist Ellen Phillips and drummer Tim Ford hit harder and with improved precision, and the harmonies are right where they need to be while still having plenty of life left in them. If 10 Milligram Day was in some ways a more easily approachable album,
Who's Afraid of the Radio Tower? is a good bit more ambitious and certainly more satisfying. ~ Mark Deming