Black Tie Revue – Code Fun

Grade: A-

Let’s be honest: not many people are going to try to pretend that Pittsburgh has the most vibrant local music scene. Black Moth Super Rainbow’s recent comment in Rolling Stone aside, the scene has some greatly talented bands, but they are, unfortunately, few and somewhat far between.

Enter Black Tie Revue.

Pittsburgh’s premiere power pop princes (why, hello there, alliteration!) recently released their long delayed debut on California’s Gearhead Records. After having the finished product sitting on the shelf for over a year and a half, the group must have been relieved just to have their ten track effort, Code Fun, in stores.

Well, I’m sure they were also pretty relieved when it was discovered that they put out an incredible fun release. Taking heavy cues from legends like the Cars and the Ramones, with hints of the pop goodness of modern acts like Camera Obscura, the Black Tie boys sure know how to write songs that are a textbook definition of “pop”. Chunky guitar riffs, delightful harmonies, the right amount of keys thrown in, chugging bass lines; what’s not to like, kids?

For my money, the peak of the record comes at the seventh track, “Too Much Thinking”. If I were over at Gearhead, I’d make a strong push to get this song on radio. From Jesse Ley’s perfect keyboard breakdown to singer Anthony Bedamo’s adorable giggle towards the end, it sounds like this song was designed to win the hearts of little boys and girls while also creating mass swooning. But that’s just me.

With this impressive debut, my bets are on Black Tie Revue to become that next big Pittsburgh band. That’s right, move over Christina Aguilera.

by Timothy Garso

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