The Real People - The Real People (1991)

The Real People were Brit-pop before the genre had a name. Of course there was nothing new about Brit-pop -- it was merely a rehash of British Invasion sounds from the '60s, albeit a fun one. And that aptly describes the Real People's eponymous 1991 debut album. Some of it is reminiscent of Oasis, especially the big guitars and the soaring harmonies. Since this full-length predates Oasis, it becomes obvious what other English group besides the Beatles they pilfered from. Then again, the Real People aren't completely original themselves: the Stone Roses' influential brew of psychedelic rock, '70s funk, and late-'80s dance music appears now and then, most notably on the catchy "Window Pane" and "Open up Your Mind." "Window Pane" tried to woo modern rock radio listeners in the early '90s, but even its hypnotic riffs couldn't sway them from the sonic sludge of Nirvana. The album is a fine antidote to Seattle angst; the band seems like they're having a good time. However, it's a tad faceless; there's nothing much to distinguish the Real People from their peers. Stephen Street produced "Window Pane," "The Truth," and "Another Day," and the guitars are as crisp as Johnny Marr's on the Smiths' records that Street worked on. The Real People try really hard to make their songs hummable and memorable, but their songwriting hasn't caught up with their top-flight musicianship yet.