Who? London-born retro-rocker Pop Levi had stints as an ice cream truck driver and a hair model before entering into his first band, Super Numeri, in 2002. The group’s subsequent albums drew the attention of Ladytron’s Danny Hunt, who invited Levi to play bass with the band. While touring with the electro outfit, the British artist began working on his own solo material. The five-song EP, Blue Honey, was recently released by Counter Records. The full-length follow-up, The Return to Form Black Magick Party, is set to hit stores in 2007.
What’s the Deal? Equal parts psychedelia and glam, Pop Levi channels such formidable frontmen as Robert Plant, Marc Bolan, and Prince for his debut disc. The title track mixes a revved-up motorcycle engine with skuzzy guitars and soulful vocals, while “(A Style Called) Crying Chic” is a laidback bluesy number about a femme fatale. But don’t let the raw production fool you — Levi is one smooth operator, filling the disc with repeated pleads for his lady “to stay until the mornin’ light.”
Fun Fact: The musical prodigy began playing the piano at the age of 3 and wrote his first song, titled “Through the Window of my Life,” when he was 12. GINNY YANG
Now Hear This: Pop Levi – “Blue Honey” DOWNLOAD MP3
Talk: How sweetly smooth is Blue Honey? COMMENT
On the Web: poplevi.com
