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How does it happen that a man who has put out 2 LPs, a handful of singles, 7"s, EPs and writes perfect pop songs remains virtually unknown in the States?  Well, you put out your records on labels based in Spain and Germany, you take a gig on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico instead of capitalizing on your musical association with Jay Reatard (Jay mixed and mastered the second Lover! LP Gathered In the Graveyard and they were in the same band), you record songs all on your own on a tape recorder in your room, and you call yourself the ungoogleable "Lover!" 

In cities like Atlanta, Chicago and Memphis, where Rich Crook has called home for more than a decade, the ubiquitous sound of the oldies station still resonates through abandoned lots, house parties and late night stoop sits.  In Rich's songs as Lover! there is a sunniness and open road feeling that brings to mind all the best bits of 60s pop.  You've probably only been able to cruise to "I'll Be There" and "Forced To The Ground" if you live in Spain or were shit-dumb lucky enough to stumble upon Rich and his mish-mash group of a backing band on the road (where he is going to be careening on the East Coast, West Coast, Australia and Europe for the rest of 08).  Grab those tunes and the previously unreleased "I'm Not A Gnome," roll up a pack of smokes in the sleeve of your T-shirt, roll down the top to your car and head for the beach.  Summer is for Lover!

Photo: Chris Anderson

Sounds Like: The Beach Boys, Jay Reatard, Sean Na Na, Vampire Hands

Download: Lover! - I'll Be There

Download: Lover! - Forced To The Ground

Download: Lover! - I'm Not A Gnome

Lover @ MySpace

Lover @ RCRD LBL

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