The Wind-Ups Photo credit: Julianna Rose
Hailing from the cozy confines of Northern California (Chico, to be exact), punk and power-pop devotees The Wind-Ups return this summer with their third LP, Confection, this time on Dandy Boy Records. With 11 blistering tracks of lo-fi sugar punk à la the Ramones and Spits, the new album is a cotton candy rock’n‘roll blitzkrieg, recorded to the trusty TASCAM 388 by frontman & ringleader Jake Sprecher.
The anxious and snarling energy of the lead off track “A Fine Pink Mist” recalls the early days of Denton, TX’s Marked Men in their most primitive state. From there the tone is set–a wall of noise and fuzz-drenched guitars recalls Black Tambourine’s Ramones covers EP, with a backbeat that feels like a panic attack. The result: bubblegum music through blown out speakers played at the wrong speed, noisy and demented in the best possible way.
When Sprecher sweetens things up a bit for the saccharine sing-alongs “(That’s Just My) Dream Girl” and “To Keep Away,” Confection shows its softer and more sensitive Joey side; but it’s the midtempo spoken word duet “Cheer Up” that steals the show. A love letter to those feeling exhausted, beaten down and doubting themselves, the song radiates the genuineness, positivity and earnestness that really defines who The Wind-Ups are. Last but certainly not least, the LP closes with a rare electric guitar appearance from Jonathan Richman on the outro of “Little Boy Blue.”
Confection bakes the hooks, energy and low fidelity production style of forgotten punk and garage in a sentimental syrup, and pops out of the oven July 11th on Dandy Boy Records for all to enjoy.
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