growing up from the ground
People from Earth
Independent/DROG
1995
17 tracks
People from Earth sounds like the Monkees. It is highly unlikely that the Monkees have been an influence on the music of People from Earth and, indeed, it is possible that the members of People from Earth may even resent the comparison. However, the resemblance is there. Anyone who knows the complete Monkees catalogue will understand.
A highly under-rated group, the Monkees were highly innovative for their time, releasing well written and performed pop singles while filling their albums and television specials with an eclectic range of unconventional music. It is true that the Monkees — except Mike Nesmith — were at first not professional musicians but singer-songwriters who used studio musicians to back them up and often recorded songs written by others. It is also true, though, that they worked with the best studio musicians and the most talented songwriters.
The Monkees repertoire covered every genre of music from country and rock to pop ballads to psychedelic and experimental works. Many of the pieces on their albums were ahead of their time, employing techniques and ideas not discovered by other groups until many years later.
People from Earth is like that.
It can be said that the members of People from Earth are all excellent musicians, as could be seen at their recent performance at Queen’s Alfie’s Pub. They also write all their own material.
Neither does People from Earth have a retrograde sound harking back to the sixties. Rather, like the Monkees, this band is very progressive and forward thinking. Although this band has been compared favorably to the Rheostatics — two of the singers are brothers of the Rheostatics' lead singer — People from Earth has a much edgier, more progressive sound.
The lyrics of John Tielli, who has penned most of the songs on People from Earth’s new CD growing up from the ground, are very reminiscent of the finest works by Michael Nesmith and musically the songs reflect many of the same influences.
Musically, growing up from the ground is broad based and eclectic, ranging from the country sound of "I Smell Flowers" through the new age sensibilities of several songs including "Killing Self," an almost psychedelic song, sweet pop sounds like "I’m Such A Baby," the bluesy "Apology," rockers (often reminiscent of another Toronto band, The Kings) such as "Aquaman" and the very Ozzie Osborne sounding "Join The Dark Side."
Lyrically and musically, People from Earth have produced a CD that should put them well on the road to popular and critical success. One day, growing up from the ground may be a collectors item. Right now it is worth owning.
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Review written: 1997
Last modified: February 14, 2004
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