THE RIGHT NOW AVAILABLE SOON

The Right Now: Ain't Going Back
From Carry Me Home (Unsigned/Independent, 2010)

Who said pop was dead? Pop music certainly isn't in the best state, artistically speaking, these days. The Right Now are up-and-comers out of Chicago with a decidedly pop sound inflected with soul tinges here and there.

Their debut CD, which they'll be selling on their current tour, as well as other outlets such as iTunes, Amazon, their own website (linked above on the album title), and a few indie shops, officially releases March 3rd. (Side note: they're also releasing a 45 that features a non-album track called “7 To 10.”) The Right Now is a completely self-contained unit. Brendan O'Connell plays various keyboards as well as guitar and had a hand in penning/co-penning every song on the album. Lead singer Stefanie Berecz has an absolutely beautiful voice, both in tone and power. The rest of the band members are no slouches either with a sound best described as clean and polished.

“Ain't Going Back” is definitely the strongest song on the album. Over a funky intro, Berecz comes into the track singing in a sultry voice. Right before the first chorus, the song crescendos into a blaze musically and vocally as Berecz works her pipes with an authority that doesn't let up especially after the bridge.

Much of the rest is catchy, hummable pop such as “Doing Nothing” that reminds me of Rod Stewart's “The Motown Song” with its affable MOR melody that makes you swing your hips along to its poppy soulfulness. “I'll Get Down” gets back to a funkier side with the metronome cranked up as the horn section, especially the saxes, provides an energetic boost.

All in all, this record is about fun, while not sacrificing quality, as The Right Now represents musicianship to the fullest and have crafted a solid album that warrants repeated listens.

You can check out a few more of their songs as well as their tour itinerary on their MySpace page. If you're in Chicago on March 19th, be sure to check out their CD release party/show at Lincoln Hall located at 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.