Larry O. Dean / The Injured Parties

Making their tenth IPO appearance, The Injured Parties took a humorous approach to their rockin' performance, blogspot readers. SouthSide immediately liked how the fun lyrics and lively pop/rock sound cohesively blended together especially after an a capella intro for "For Your Protection" (off Injured's Fun with a Purpose album). TIP's songs popped with catchy rhythms and danceable melodies ...almost reminiscent of the 80s music genre and feel that had energy and vibe never dulling the senses. Plus this band also added a touch of local flavor within their songs -- for example one was about "Damen Avenue" which was quite poetic off front man Larry's deep vocal tone. Still that deep range made the imagery inside the words breathed life like during "On Her Way to Becoming Something Else" (an interesting song about transcending or about alien abduction -- cue X-Files theme here which can also be found off Fun with a Purpose album). SouthSide appreciated how this band rocked the stage with a simplistic yet energetic sound and lyrics which kept Injured's music within a lively tone flowing melodically while enticing the ears with its catchy rhythmic groove. This reviewer recommends listening to the slice of life within "American Comfort" and "Zingerman's Deli." - SouthSide on the Town

From Spade Kitty Records 10th Anniversary Bash review:

Middle band The Injured Parties, a three piece playing their first show, made an impression from the very beginning by showing up with boxes of Hostess treats. Repeatedly claiming this tour “was sponsored by” the snack cake company, they tossed Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Ho-Hos into the crowd, and it seemed everyone (except me) ate at least one before the end of the night. Lead singer/guitarist Larry O. Dean is a veteran of what sounds like dozens of bands, not to mention an extensive solo career. Always a sucker for the non-traditional singing voice, I found his songs, and even more so his on-stage demeanor, interesting and entertaining.

Read whole review here:
http://www.2bhifi.com/kiki/archives/000883.html - online blog

The Injured Parties offer a mix of character studies and offbeat love songs on Fun with a Purpose. Singer/songwriter Larry O. Dean, formerly with Post Office, has a talky vocal approach that’s annoying on some of the slower songs, but his rapid-fire assurances on “For Your Protection” and humorous attention to detail on the catchy “Zingerman’s Deli” help the CD live up to its name. “Beauty Of The Block” is the best of Dean’s slice-of-life acoustic tunes.

http://illinoisentertainer.com/2009/12/around-hear-december-2009/ - Terrence Flamm

Last night, I went to the Empty Bottle to check out a tribute to Alex Chilton on his 56th birthday. I've always had slightly mixed feeling about Chilton. I cannot deny the greatness of those first two Big Star albums. I picked up Radio City in a cutout bin for a buck or two when I was in high school, having just read an old Robert Christgau rave about the record. I can't say that I was instantly blown away, but I immediately took to "September Gurls" and "Oh My Soul" and other songs followed. It was years later before I heard the band's debut, which is the more conventional album of the two. As for the 'third' album, which is tracks intended for a third album (though not put together by what was left of the band) -- I like some songs, but it never grabbed me.

Meanwhile, Chilton's solo career is as spotty as a 15 year old boy's face. Moments of brilliance are intermittent -- there's a lot of just okay stuff. I think this is why I sometimes find the cult of Chilton overheated -- he may have had a period of genius (arguably), but he wasn't a genius. Maybe if he hadn't had a personal slide after Big Star things would have been different. But he slid and that's the way it goes. That being said, it's hard to imagine Game Theory/The Loud Family or the early dB's without Big Star's influence.

This was a multi-artist affair, wtih the worst aspect of the night being the constant unavoidable downtime setting up between acts. Event organizer Larry O. Dean kicked things off with his band, The Injured Parties. While some of Dean's solo material is quieter, with strings and stuff, the Parties are a powerful trio. Very rocking. (At this point, I must apologize for not recalling most of who did what -- beyond my over 40 y.o. brain having a hard time remembering song titles, trying to match song to the artist is futile unless I take notes).

Next up was Recent Photo. Great band name. They were a quartet -- bass, guitar, drums and theremin. They were alright, but they sound like they need to gig a bit more and tighten up. The drummer sang the second song, and her drumming seemed a bit tenative when she sang -- but the band closed out the song just locking into a groove and sounded really good. I'll have to remember them.

There was a solo performer whose name escapes me, who did a longer folkier tune (whose name, of course escapes me). Then we had more bands. Can I remember all of them? There was Feathergun, who did three numbers. One of their singers took the lead on two -- this guy was wearing a goofy hat (like he stole it from Jellyfish during the photo sessions on their first album). But his voice was pure and perfect for doing Big Star tunes. With him up front, they sounded really good.

They were followed by Tennis Courts, a new band with Chicago stalwart Wes Hollywood. Wes will always be compared to Elvis Costello, both due to his looks and his voice, which has a similar timbre. Not that this is a bad thing, mind you. Wes sounded great, the rhythm section followed suit -- two songs was too few.

The Saturday Nights followed. Initially, they didn't bowl me over. Then they tore into "Hey Little Child", a song that Tommy Keene covered early in his career. The Saturday Nights just tore into it. Thumbs up.

Rich Miller played -- now that I think of it, he preceded The Saturday Nights. He brought onto stage a 12-string guitar, a friendly personality and a cool singing voice. He also lucked into playing two very well known songs associated with Chilton -- The Box Tops "The Letter" and Big Star's "In the Streets" (adding the Cheap Trick That '70s Show "we're all alright" at the end). Well done.

Then, the highlight of the night. It was only two songs, but two Doleful Lions performances are so rare. Jonathan Scott's vulnerable voice is also very well suited to Chilton's quieter material. Particularly the second song Scott played, the third album classic "Jesus Christ", which the Lions did for a Parasol Records Christmas album a while back. I've written a number of reviews of Lions records and when Scott sings, every word rings true. A great match of song to performer.

I'd say the same of the Injured Parties slambang rendition of "No Sex". Larry Dean has a sardonic vocal style and it fits Alex Chilton's biting take on AIDS (from back in the '80s). Great stuff.

At that point, I had to get home, after introducing myself to Mr. Scott. I wish I could have stuck around for more.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=3326652&blogID=211234922&indicate=1 - Mike Bennett

Michigan native/Chicago resident Larry O. Dean is a music journalist, cartoonist and longtime Pop purveyor with several acclaimed bands, including Post Office and The Me Decade. He recently put together the Injured Parties, yet another blessed-out Pop trio, and they're hard at work on their debut album.

Dig It: The Posies and Tommy Keene as docents for the Power Pop Museum's Badfinger/Big Star wing.

http://www.citybeat.com/2006-09-20/cover4.shtml - Brian Baker

The Injured Parties are Chicago based rock band lead by Larry O. Dean (guitar/vocals) and assisted by Jimmy De Lauriea (bass) and Mike Ebersohl (drums). Opening with chugging and driving guitar on "American Comfort" they remind me of Tom Petty or The Lemonheads if they were lead by Lou Reed. "Been There, Done That" has a weary Neil Young approach that suits the song just fine. The descriptive story of characters inside "Zingerman's Deli" is a lot of fun to listen to, with charging piano and guitar rhythms. The low key vocals in "Dogwalker" are enhanced by the female harmonies in the background and the Ray Davies-styled narrative. Unique subjects include a love song to actress "Linda Fiorentino" and getting so stupid you "Walked into a Wall." Colorful lyrics aside, this will also appeal to fans of Dylan, Roger Waters and The Kinks. Lovers of classic guitar sound will gravitate easily to The Injured Parties. 7/10

http://powerpopaholic.blogspot.com/2009/07/injured-parties-fun-with-purpose.html - Aaron Kupferberg

An album in the best traditions of classic power-pop: energy, beautiful melodies, unusual musical turns, deep lyrics, a wealth of sounds and color...

http://powerpop.ru/albums/55-a-2009/130-injured-parties-.html - Powerpop.ru

I've got a soft spot for noisy power-pop, and Fun with a Purpose pulled me right in away. “American Comfort” starts the album incredibly well, you can't help but tap your toes, nod your head and wave your arms around and it doesn't let up either. Essentially no filler on this album and every song is better than the previous song. For those that like their Power Pop crunchy with just the right amount of jangle, this is for you!! Highly recommended: 5 Stars

http://powerpopoverdose.blogspot.com/2009/07/injured-parties-fun-with-purpose-now.html - Curt Vance

The Injured Parties -- what a great name for a band! And their debut album title pretty much says it all...these guys from the Windy City exude a fun and wacky attitude with their music and lyrics, but strive to make some meaning of it all along the way. We're dealing with energetic yet quirky pop here, with a good dose of rock added to the mix.

The songs are actually very good -- well-written pop with more than your fair share of hooks and harmonies. But what kills it for me is the voice -- sorry, but I find the vocal tone annoying. It is very They Might Be Giants, so if they don't rub you the wrong way, it is a safe bet that you will really enjoy The Injured Parties. If you are a fan of Shake Some Action or Hoodoo Gurus, I'd also suggest you check out The Injured Parties too.

Highlights for me included the rollicking "American Comfort" and "Zingerman's Deli", as well as the driving "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love". However, my favorite track is "If You're Gonna Break My Heart", which inches into Material Issue territory.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 5, 6

http://billsmusicforum.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-injured-parties-fun-with-purpose.html - Bill Sullivan

The Injured Parties are a Chicago-based power trio propagating a mid-western brand of roots rock n roll that runs the gamut from Neil Young-style minimalism to the noise of The Velvet Underground. Front Man Larry O. Dean (Post Office, The Me Decade) has a vocal delivery reminiscent of Young, and band mates Jimmy De Lauriea (bass) and Mike Ebersohl (drums) help to build a musical base that's part Americana and part Garage Rock. The Injured Parties debut album, Fun With A Purpose, was produced by Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Calexico) and mastered by Mike Hagler (Wilco, Neko Case, The Mekons).

Fun With A Purpose opens with "American Comfort," a vibrant Americana/Rocker that points to an American conceit regarding comfort and consumption in light of how it affects the rest of the world. "Been There, Done That" takes a limited arrangement and a lead vocal with a bare relationship to a key to offer a linguistically challenged set of lyrics. "Dogwalker" is an amusing vignette about unrequited love with someone who probably doesn't even know the narrator exists. The song could either be sweet or creepy depending on perspective, but the Americana arrangement is a good one even if there is a looseness to the band throughout. "If You're Gonna Break My Heart" has a Rembrandts feel to it ala "I'll Be There For You" mixed with a Luther Wright twang. It's an entertaining song with some real life to it but stays on the underside of sonic purity.

"Linda Fiorentino" is something of a teenage fantasy about a Hollywood babe who's a Terminator. The song is cute but not really funny and not terribly interesting past the first couple of listens. "On Her Way To Becoming Something Else" details the timeless story of someone young who heads off from home for no other reason than to not be where they grew up any longer. The song is full of adolescent leanings and a driving Americana arrangement that serves as the perfect frame for a caricature that is spot-on. Fun With A Purpose closes out with "For Your Protection," a whimsical bit of fluff rock with Punk leanings; a variation on call and response where the backing vocalists sing the same line over-and-over, and as along as the lead vocalist can think of more responses the song can continue. It's a fun exercise with little lasting effect.

Fun With A Purpose is held together with sonic duct tape, with The Injured Parties battering the band structure as often as they play to. The album is amusing and entertaining without being highly musical. The energy of the songs sells the album, and if you accept to Lo-Fi approach and rough songwriting then you'll get it. An aura of satire is in the air, and it has The Injured Parties written all over it.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-injured-parties-fun-with-purpose.html - Wildy Haskell

The Injured Parties is the new band created by Larry O. Dean who some of you out there will remember as a member of the bands Post Office and The Me Decade. Fun With a Purpose features a more stripped down sound with most of the songs using only the bare essentials (guitar, bass, drums, vocals). This 53 minute album features simple straight-from-the-hip pop that sounds something like a cross between Muswell Hillbillies-era Kinks and early Young Fresh Fellows. Playing with Dean on this album are Jimmy De Lauriea (bass, vocals) and Mike Ebersohl (drums, vocals). Though professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered, these songs have a nice, loose sound and feel that is really appealing. We particularly like the fact that Larry doesn't push himself in the vocal department. So many vocalists try way too hard to get their point across and end up failing miserably. On this album, the vocals are rather subtle...almost having a slightly unrehearsed sound that is a perfect fit for the tunes. Cool guitar driven pop cuts include "American Comfort," "Been There, Done That," "Beauty of the Block," and an interesting, odd cover version of Alex Chilton's "Holocaust." A pure feelgood experience. (Rating: 5+)

http://www.babysue.com/2009-Sept-LMNOP-Reviews.html#anchor480796 - Don W. Seven