Constant Bop
by Bop English
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29
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  1. W3R3W00F
    Apr 17, 2015
    10
    Well, this is a huge surprise!

    I had never heard of English Bop--or White Denim--until recently. But boy, this is a wake up call. I decided to surprise myself by buying the album without hearing more than one of the ten songs in its entirety: Struck Matches. The minute I heard that song, I knew, "yep, gotta buy". You can get it from Blood and Biscuit's Bandcamp for 5 pounds, about    Well, this is a huge surprise!

    I had never heard of English Bop--or White Denim--until recently. But boy, this is a wake up call.

    I decided to surprise myself by buying the album without hearing more than one of the ten songs in its entirety: Struck Matches.

    The minute I heard that song, I knew, "yep, gotta buy". You can get it from Blood and Biscuit's Bandcamp for 5 pounds, about 7 dollars. I gave 7 pounds, because Struck Matches is such a freaking good song.

    The artwork sticks out to me, even though there's nothing really special about it. It's just a painting of, presumably, James Petralli, the man behind this magic and the frontman of White Denim. But when I heard the music, the image was just stuck there in my mind. Just a guy holding up his funny jazz hands. And still, it's been a while since I've seen an album cover that so strangely, almost cosmically, aligns with the music in my mind. Like, there's nothing else that could work.

    The music, like the album cover, does not convey much emotional power, in the sense that you aren't being made to cling to the coat-tails of every word in awe of its emotion prowess. It doesn't feel uber-personal. Instead it feels like the music was made by the sum of what Bop English encompasses, not specifically by someone named James Petralli. I'm reminded of Hyperstory somewhat in this regard.

    I'd also like to note that this music almost defies any honest oldies comparisons in my mind. Not that I'm an expert here, I'm still fairly young. But the way that James takes what he has at his disposal--and I assume he used practically everything, equipment and ideas and found stuff--and spins tunes that are indeed as boppy as the name might imply, he's made tunes that I find hard to classify as throwback rock. It's just, as best as I can describe it, all good. Cool. Not druggy, but high on being alive. Oh, and ridiculously catchy and relistenable And it doesn't take you on a visual journey where your emotions are toyed with and then potentially disappointed either, or start BEING toyed with halfway through (see Raphael Saadiq's Stone Rollin'... good album, but emotional steam picks up halfway through after wading through singles material, to slightly sour effect).

    Should you buy this album? Yes. You should tell your friends too, if you like it. And that's why I'm here: to spread the good news that this album is worth it's measly 5 pound asking price. That's roughly 7 to us, America. You won't regret it.

    Favorite songs: Dani's Blues, Struck Matches, Trying The Hardest Way, Long Distance Runner    … Expand
  2. DestroyerDunne
    Apr 19, 2015
    10
    James Petralli does it again. Being a huge fan of White Denim, I wasn't entirely sure what this project was going to entail or if it would live up to the hype.
    It took as far as halfway through the first verse of "Dani's Blues" to know it was gonna be great. Do yourself a favour and pick this LP up.
  3. BUK
    Apr 21, 2015
    10
    Constant Bop is a wonderful record!

    Throughout the record there is a hifi lowfi tension that draws you in. James mixes sweet pop do wop backing vocals with raging distorted guitar power chords… and it works! Most songs come off as simple enough driving ditties but they have a densely complex delivery. The songs go wherever they feel natural going. It all sounds familiar, yet new.    Constant Bop is a wonderful record!

    Throughout the record there is a hifi lowfi tension that draws you in. James mixes sweet pop do wop backing vocals with raging distorted guitar power chords… and it works! Most songs come off as simple enough driving ditties but they have a densely complex delivery.

    The songs go wherever they feel natural going. It all sounds familiar, yet new. Classic pop pieces, timeless in appeal expertly executed.

    I defy you to stand still through this album! Holy coleslaw, there so much influence shredded into this thing it’s a wonder it doesn’t turn to mud! Instead it’s genius!

    The whole album bursts with invention, swings just right, is crafted like one of the producer greats of the 70’s had their hands in the mix and yet sounds new and fresh. Put this on in the backyard and barbecue! You’ll love it!    … Expand
  4. Sketchead
    Jun 21, 2015
    10
    The very best album of 2015. It'll be impossible to top this, it's purely fantastical genius from James Petralli. There's a song for everybody on here, and just like his band White Denim, it's the catchiest and most intricate music that not enough people are listening to. 10/10 perfection.
  5. Sorenfeldian
    May 15, 2016
    10
    Every song on the album is catchy and makes me want to run to my guitar to figure out how to play each song. They're all so layered and well made. It's hard to get into every song on a first listen, but this album manages to do so. The lead singer of White Denim completely blew my expectation for a solo album.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 8, 2015
    80
    Whether or not Bop English will outshine the continued efforts of his main vehicle, White Denim, remains to be seen, but as far as debuts go, Constant Bop is first-rate.
    Read full review
  2. Austin Chronicle
    Jun 18, 2015
    78
    Constant Bop lights up a whole lot like his main band's 2011 breakout album D by the second song.
    Read full review
  3. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    60
    Constant Bop is even more eclectic [than White Denim's music]. [Jun 2015, p.87]
See all critic reviews »