Dean Petrella sings “Trade Up” with an exuberance that’s been missing on so many recordings being issued both independently and by record labels (not to mention those forced on us by corporate radio.) The second surprise here is that this great little song is all that is on the CD single; a relentless onslaught of the clever words and compelling music keeps your attention focused on one fantastic tune as it spins in the car stereo.
It’s probably my favorite single since Marilyn Manson’s “The Dope Show”, though a lot more uptempo and exhilarating . Listening to this Rhode Island group’s music for over a decade (see my reviews on Rovi / AllMusic.com ) all I can say is that I wish more artists would go back to the single as a way of garnering attention. “Trade Up” has all the elements: great production, a passionate vocal and a band, the Complaints, that hit it out of the park. Just superb.
Joe Viglione is the Chief Film Critic at TMRZoo.com. He was a film critic for Al Aronowitz’s The Blacklisted Journal, has written thousands of reviews and biographies for AllMovie.com, Allmusic.com and produces and hosts Visual Radio. Visual Radio is a fifteen year old variety show on cable TV which has interviewed John Lennon’s Uncle Charlie, Margaret Cho, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Felix Cavaliere, Marty Balin, Bill Press and hundreds of other personalities.
