Powerpop CD Review: The Allrightniks – Nothing’s What it Seems

I’ve heard of Nick Lowe, Nickelback, St. Nick, Richard Nixon, nic-naks, and “Little Nicky” Scarfo. But I’d never heard of The Allrightniks. If these guys maintained any lower a profile, they’d be in a witness protection program.

Yet, they put out a very good 6 song EP entitled Nothing’s What it Seems. Is the title of the disc somehow prophetic? When contemplating their future promotional efforts, one can only hope so.

This three piece regional act from from the Roanoke Valley area consists of principal songwriters Jeremy Georgeff and Chuck Crush with Vic Terry on Drums, Vocal duties are shared by Georgeff and Crush, with each contributing to some very pleasing harmonies.

“No Words” starts things off with the requisite jangly guitars one expects from a a band influenced by powerpop and 60’s bands like The Byrds.

“Down To Me” is a bit reminiscent of Matthew Sweet while “So Glad” and “Nobody Knows But Me” has Beatles and Spongtetones fingerprints all over them. The guitar work and harmonies are spot-on throughout, making almost every cut a very enjoyable listen.

Very little information exists online for this band and a very sparse website doesn’t help, so one can only assume that their philosophy can be summarized by a short blurb included on their CD Universe product listing page.

It reads as follows:

“Each of their tracks is self-recorded and allowed to develop organically, in keeping with their “nuts and bolts” philosophy Nothing’s What It Seems album.”

Nothing’s What it Seems is a small collection of mostly catchy, well written tunes that sound particularly good when played LOUD.

So if you’re a connoisseur of melodic pop, get a copy of Nothing’s What it Seems. And when you play the CD, be sure to turn it up. Maybe the neighbors will hear it and perhaps they’ll ask who the band is. And, after you tell them, just maybe they’ll say something like “Yeah, I’ve heard of them.”

One can only hope so.

NOTE – Chuck Crush was kind enough to get back to me with the following information: “We are currently spending our time writing and recording our 3rd EP (or LP, not sure yet…). We do hope to line up some shows in the near future, and when we do, we’ll be sure to let you know!”