“Pop”, usually short for Popular Music, is an interesting term. Along with “indie”, “pop” is possibly the most meaningless label that music writers throw around to encompass music that’s not straightforward rock, hip-hop, folk, metal, blues, jazz or country. Most everything that doesn’t fit securely within those walls is, if not purposefully abstract, is usually bundled in with pop.

Admittedly, I’m very often guilty of this. Yet, the promotional version of the new album, Return Of The Century, from Chicago’s The 1900s came with an information sheet, which states that on the record the band, “…expand on the pop elements – sublime vocal arrangements, catchy guitars, lockstep rhythms…”

It’s interesting to bunch those elements in with the “pop” label seeing how many rock or country songs have catchy guitars, sublime vocals and the like. But what The 1900s’ publicity people are really trying to say is that Return Of The Century is not a straightforward rock, country, or folk record, and that’s the truth. Instead, it’s an album that utilizes branches from musical trees of all kinds to create a record that is direct, pleasant and has an irresistible charm to it – everything popular music should be.

Three years after their debut, The 1900s return with Return Of The Century, which may just be more than a clever title. In a swift 32 minutes, the Chicago septet unleash groovy bass lines, reflective acoustic moments and lush soundscapes that never try to overstate their grandeur. The album plays to its strengths in its simplicity. The melodies come in tightly, candy-wrapped moments that are equally catchy as they are fun.

But don’t get confused- this isn’t some sugarcoated radio pop. This is a throw back to times when bands and songs didn’t have to be boxed in by a particular genre. Back when Fleetwood Mac was Fleetwood Mac and not “bluesy pop-rock” or when R.E.M. was R.E.M. and not “mature-sounding indie rock with pop tendencies”. On Return Of The Century, The 1900s are just The 1900s. Sure for consumers, it’s best to whittle the sounds emanating from their iPod earbuds to a few choice words or a particular phrase. But in some cases, such as this one, it’s probably best to let the music speak for itself without the constraints of labels.

“Amulet” begins with crisp piano strikes over breezy chords that shift into a lovely refrain of, “I don’t mind what you did/ I don’t mind what you did/ I don’t mind” before an elegant string arrangement lead the song into its next, more lively movement. The huge vocal hook of “Lions Fur”, “If you have fight/ Take them all on together/ Now, we won’t get tired/ We can fight them forever”, hovers gently over tightly wound snare hits and a warm organ riff.

“Babies” offers a more rock-fueled approach with a mud-thick bass driving the song over elastic guitars, which give way to a nearly bluegrass, finger-picked chorus breakdown. There’s even a Blondie, 1980′s new wave vibe on “Overreactin’”, which opens with heavy breathing on top of a retro-glow melody. “Jean Demon” is seemingly the bridge between The 1900s last album, Cold & Kind, and their new approach as it starts with orchestrated strings before bringing to the front deep piano, mechanical-sounding drums and smokey vocals. The song brings the strings back, but they’re not the front component and instead play second fiddle, no pun intended, to fuzzy keyboards and wind-whispered guitar.

So, is Return Of The Century a “pop” album? For those who need simple descriptors, that term might do. But the record really acts as a platform for The 1900s to showcase their exquisite ability to let their influences shine through and create music that never meanders or tries too hard. The band have created an album that, while culls together a variety of other musical genres, is unique to them. And that’s quite an accomplishment.
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Catch The 1900s on Tuesday, October 26, at the Fireside Bowl.
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LISTEN to the first single “Babies” right here.

Return Of The Century will be released on Tuesday, November 2, on Parasol Records. Pre-order Return Of The Century right now at Parasol.com.