Meddling Kids

Just what I needed — a Rochester-based hard pop powerhouse to kick my jaded Gen-X butt. If The Meddling Kids are any indication, apparently there’s nothing better to do in the snow belt except overindulge in a whole lot of blissfulicious ear candy, learn the tricks of dynamics and hooks, and then churn out a fresh, youthful take on the kind of music we thirty-somethings used to scream along to…at the mall. Wearing way big hair. Yes, their originals are a melodic, hard-driving pop worthy of repeated listens. But their cover songs are a huge treat. Rick Springfield, anyone? How about a super-duper cover of “I’ve Done Everything For You” done…get this…without irony. The Meddling Kids are radio-friendly, fun, cute and insanely marketable. “I don’t know what you want, I don’t know what you need,” goes “What You Want.” Boys, don’t sell yourselves short — you know exactly what I need. More Meddling Kids! (http://www.themeddlingkids.com/) (Review date: Sept 3 2007)