MUSICREVIEW The Figgs Follow Jean Through The Sea 3 stars It's that wink-and-a-smile charm of a good pop song that endears listeners to an unapologetically pure breed of pop-rock. And it's that very same sly charm that makes the latest album by veteran rock band The Figgs so much fun. With Follow Jean Through The Sea, The Figgs have found their groove. Despite the group's New York origin, the band sounds like it's been plucked right out of an underground British pub. The music is by no means guitar-centric, but the riffs are more than respectable, and the old-school vibe lends itself to a swanky good time. The opening track, "Breaking Through These Gates," boasts a late-era Elvis Costello vibe that swaggers with lightly toasted sex appeal. The band is certainly no stranger to the construction of enticingly catchy hooks and fun-loving choruses. The Figgs' sound remains comfortably left-of-center largely because of the group's ability to learn from the past while still managing to blaze its own trail. "Regional Hits" speaks to the group's intolerance for canned hits churned out of profit-driven hit-factories. In keeping with this sentiment, the group has a refreshingly original sound unlike anything the Top 40 stations are pumping out these days. It's clear from the audible mixture of early Stones, Iggy Pop and even a sprinkling of Chuck Berry that these guys know their history and are proud to draw influence from it. Like the James Dean of records, the entire album exudes an unspoken air of cool. The music swirls from the speakers with the kind of unforced confidence that makes a true rebel irresistibly sexy. Ultimately, these Figgs are ripe for the picking, full of energy and juicy to the core. Contact the Diversions Editor at dive@unc.edu.
