I just have four things to add to Bob's summary of IPO to date. One is that
the Bradburys were the first of *three* bands to cover "Shakin' All Over"
thus far at IPO. Perhaps that wouldn't have been unusual at a festival of
170 different acts if it were held in 1967, but it sure seems unusual in
2005. Second, I enthusiastically second his endorsement of Admiral Twin. I
don't recall seeing much mention of them on Audities before, but they're
definitely one of the best bands doing the power pop thang on the entire
circuit. Their major-label foray, 2000's *Mock Heroic*, has been a favorite
of mine for a long time, but if the set they played at IPO is any
indication, their songcraft skills have only increased since they sailed
back to the indies after Mojo/Universal dropped them. I got their latest
album at their IPO gig, and it's at the top of the stack of discs I've
accumulated thus far at the festival that I won't be able to play until it's
over and my life returns to normal.

Third, although sleep deprivation drove Bob out of Gunther Murphy's and back
to his hotel at the start of their set, Orange Park was as good as
advertised. My only complaint is that their new album wasn't out in time for
IPO. It comes out on June 21, so look for it. This is a high-quality power
pop band that's got the goods in the songwriting department and definitely
does not stint in the "power" department of the genre. They play out in
their hometown of NYC quite a bit, so look for them if you're a resident of
the Tri-State area.

Fourth, after Bob got on the plane and returned to the land of the thistle,
several acts played the festival that have really impressed me. Two local
acts did their usual bang-up jobs onstage at Wise Fools on Tuesday night,
Eric & the Implants (who were pushing a new CD) and MOTO (who push a new CD
seemingly every week; MOTO honcho Paul Caporino is the Bob Pollard of
punk-pop). But a new name to watch is Mark Sheehy, who with his band played
a very strong set that night. Terrific new songwriter. And last night at
Schuba's everyone seemed really taken with Philadelphia's Fooling April (not
to be confused with Boston's Fooled By April), who brought both solid chops
and a lot of showmanship to the fray.


Gregory Sager