File Under: Indie Pop Rock rating: B+ tracks 1. Killing Me 2. Picture Her Face 3. She Loves Kurt Cobain 4. Glenn Miller 5. Downwind 6. Angel On Your Shoulder 7. Chatterbox 8. Alethea 9. Throw It Away 10. Stand Together 11. Never My Love related links Gnashville Sounds Records

Stace England’s Lovey Dovey All the Time is a collection of love songs with a rock twist. Proclaiming that he doesn’t “write love songs. Never have,” in his liner notes, he then explains how he had a dream one night of writing a whole record of love songs. Working with the band the Implications, he put together Lovey Dovey, a decidedly love-oriented record.

The first track, “Killing Me,” is a punky, up-tempo song that shows how tight the Implications are with playing with England. With vocal harmonies coupled with simple, fast guitar chording, it’s a good song to start the record off with, and shows the promise of England’s songwriting. “Picute Her Face” is a softer song, standing out more as a “love song.” Dreamy and yearning, the finger picking electric guitar gives the song a feeling of longing and desire.

The third song takes another turn, in that it’s a more witty and facetious pop/rock song. “She Loves Kurt Cobain” laments that fact England’s love interest in someone else: “she loves Kurt Cobain, and he’s dead.” And right after that, “Glenn Miller” jumps into a soft, acoustic song accompanied by a sorrowful cello.

“Chatterbox” is another witty song, praising the talkative nature of his girl. With lines like “Perfect in every way, but my mind can’t absorb everything she has to say,” Enlgand shows his sense of humor while trying to tell a story. The bridge jumps into a sludgy rock, and when it seems the song has abruptly stopped, it goes right back into the fast, poppy melody of the chorus.

Lovey Dovey All the Time is an impressive collection of well-written songs about love from a guy who says that before this record, he had no success with writing a love song. Arguably a themed record, Stace England does not hesitate to hold back, and stretches himself to broaden the sound of the record to keep it refreshing and light while staying true to his intentions.

Tom Fraher is a Contributing Writer. Contact him at tomf@rockzone.com.