Active since 2019, Dave Cope and the Sass have not only garnered endorsements from folks in and around their home turf of Philadelphia, Penn., but the global indie pop rock community as well.
Recently released by Kool Kat Musik, Julee” logs in as the band’s third album, and is guaranteed to attract even more disciples.
Considering Cope’s silvery-toned vocals recall a coupling of Eric Carmen and Jeff Lynne, comparisons to Raspberries, the Idle Race, the Move and Electric Light Orchestra are inevitable.
A good number of tracks on Julee are also seeded with classical-rock arrangements, allowing such aspirations to be further pronounced. It is indeed flattering to be likened to these admirable artists, but Dave Cope and the Sass insert a variety of inspirations into their imaginative material.
Generated by a swift kick, the title cut of the album adopts a power-popping freakbeat pose, flush with circular rhythms, whirling harmonies and bright and bubbly hooks.
Radiating the kind of lyrical insight and charming pop sound found in many Kinks songs, the frisky-footed “They Never Say Hello” tells the tale of two strangers who see each other in passing every day and yearn to meet, but are too shy to do so. “Fascination Street” rocks to a hurried pace and wraps things up with a burst of buzzing psychedelic reverb.
Presenting rows of pretty and precious piano chords, symphonic settings and a spellbinding vocal performance, “Let Me In” is a big ballad emoting love and devotion that strongly emphasizes the Eric Carmen/Raspberries influence, and then there’s “Topsy Turvy,” a jubilant ELO-styled pop rocker spinning with catchy melodies and arresting tempos.
Driven by a gritty edge, a sense of intensity and fairly expansive instrumentation, “Moonraker” frequently resembles the Elton John’s Tumbleweed Connection/Madman Across the Water period.
On a closing note, it should be mentioned Julee is dedicated to Cope’s father, who departed the earthly realm last year. The album also features a pair of songs additionally paying homage to Cope’s dad. A merry vaudeville vibe, dappled with a jaunty jugband feel fuels the Lovin’ Spoonful-ish “Lost With You,” and “Watching Over Me” is a gorgeous piano-framed piece, bolstered by heart-gripping prose.
Stuffed with choice songwriting and the musical abilities to match, Julee captures Dave Cope and the Sass showing respect to their origins, while at the same time flashing their own special identity. A groovy ride all the way!
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