By Chris Rockson

 

Marseille - Plastic Passion PVC065 - Out NOW!!!

Track Listing

New Years Eve

Backseat Of Your Soul

Life Ain't That Bad, Girl

Hideaway

Passed

Take Back the Time

Across the Street

Another Reason Why

UC/BC

I Still Love The Feeling

 

The name Hundred Million Martians should ring a bell between every pair of punk-rockin-power-pop-loving ears, but due to some wicked twist of fate it probably does not. However, those aware of the bands doings and whereabouts surely know what the fuss would be about.

Hailing from Turku, Finland, the band kicked off in 1996 by releasing a four track EP Brighter Days. A year later they got signed to Finnish Hiljaiset Levyt label. The debut album Martian Arts was released in 1997 and contained some impressive tunes. The self-explanatory gem A Perfect Pop Song is a perfect example of the album's brilliance.

"In 1998 we released an EP called I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", lead singer and guitarist Jyrki remembers. "It had four tracks by the same name, one original and one from the Ramones, the Rubinoos and the Pushtwangers each. It was a cool concept and got great reviews. The radio didn't spit on it either."

Soon after the band recorded their second full-lenghter Mars Bars (1999). It turned out great, all the way from the excellent whiplash rock of Where Ever You Are I Hope That You're Happy Now to the tenderness of Cool Shades. "It sounded freaking brilliant, still does. A masterpiece and an album to be proud of on your death bed", says Jyrki. Mars Bars got great reviews.

In 2004 they returned with an album that explained why there's the word Mars in Marshall: Solid Rock Planet. Four years later they're back again with Marseille, an album that brilliantly sums up the energy and productional values of their two previous records.

Wow! This took me completely by surprise!! It's not often that I get floored by a band or it's sound, but the moment I placed the CD, unique in it's glitterball livery, I knew that I was on to something very special indeed. Powerful, power-punk-pop always did it for me back in the day, and it still rocks my boat!

You gotta be able to put a song together that makes the listener wanna play it over and over again....the Martian's have that ability in abundance!

Reminiscent of that other power-punk outfit from Finland, Hanoi Rocks, the CD even features a guest appearance by Hanoi Frontman, Michael Monroe. The guitars are perfectly mixed....overall, it's a stunning effort, and one that is well worth hunting out!

The Martian's have landed....you BETTER believe it!

8/10

 

Check out the Hundred Million Martians RIGHT HERE