The Last Grand Experiment Jonesboro GA

The Last Grand Experiment

Boy Genius

Tommy Boy Records, 1998

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 07/27/1998

Is there any band out there that can outdo Green Day for thetitle of best pop-punk band on the alternative scene?

Count Boy Genius in the "contender" category for that title. Thetrio's debut effort The Last Grand Experiment shows off some very good music andmusicianship (as well as a solid sense of humor), but its lengthproves to be its downfall.

Guitarist Tom Appleton is a more technically knowledgablemusician than some of his peers, something you can hear in hissolos he peppers this EP with. As a vocalist, he's a little morelimited than someone like Billie Joe Armstrong, but he makes up forthat with heart. Bassist Scott West seems to play more of abehind-the-scenes role in the band, while drummer/backing vocalistBrad Allison demonstrates his ability on the trap kit verywell.

Boy Genius shows their greatest strength in theirtongue-in-cheek humor. Songs like "My Girlfriend's In Love (WithSuperdrag)" capture the listener first with the self-deprecatinghumor, then with the solid musicianship all three membersdemonstrate to close out the one-two punch on the listener'ssenses.