There was a time, not so long ago, when the power-pop genre felt like a museum exhibit—a place where listeners retreated to worship at the altars of 1970s Big Star or 1990s Teenage Fanclub while casting a cynical eye on anything new. However, a recent sea change has transformed the scene into a vibrant, living ecosystem. Alongside acts like The Prize and Young Guv, Oakland’s The Goods have become central figures in this revival, proving that the classic recipe of chime and charm is still capable of producing something essential. Their full-length debut, ‘Don’t Spoil The Fun,’ is more than just a nostalgic exercise; it is an exhibition in melodic architecture and emotional sincerity.
While the band’s self-titled EP (Dandy Boy Records, 2023), leaned into a direct, almost punk-ish urgency, ‘Don’t Spoil The Fun’ represents a significant step forward. Frontman Rob Good, working from his Oakland home studio, has traded raw grit for a shimmering, panoramic production style. The result is an album that breathes. By enlisting the talents of bassist Cherron Arens and guitarist Gabriel Monnot on half the tracks, the project evolves from a solo vision into a fully realized trio dynamic, characterized by bouncy bass lines and sophisticated arrangements that prioritize texture over volume.
The album navigates the lineage of jangle-pop with grace, drawing a straight line from the 12-string brilliance of The Byrds to the crunchier Not Lame era of the 90s. The opening track, “April Fools,” serves as the perfect mission statement: a two-minute burst of sugar-coated energy that explores the dizzying frustration of being drawn to someone unpredictable. It is high-velocity pop that feels both rushed and meticulously polished.
Despite the sunny sonic exterior, the songwriting possesses a poignant depth. The Goods manage a difficult trick; pairing bright, major-key hooks with lyrics that touch on topics including the isolation of shut-down venues and lost community, the friction of failing relationships and introspective solitude and the search for genuine connection.
The record’s strength lies in its pacing. “Sunday Morning Out of the Blue” leans into a 60s psychedelic-mod influence, featuring an urgent breakdown that provides a welcome bit of texture. Conversely, “Sarah Says” showcases Rob Good’s ability to handle a ballad, stripping away the distortion to let the melody carry the weight of a crumbling romance. The penultimate track, “Remember,” serves as a gorgeous, gauzy highlight. It captures a wistful sentimentality reminiscent of Roger McGuinn, asking a universal question about the endurance of memory and friendship. It is in these moments—where the jangle meets a genuine sense of yearning—that the album truly shines.
‘Don’t Spoil The Fun’ is a standout release for 2025 by Dandy Boy Records and a vital entry in the modern power-pop canon. It succeeds because it understands that brightness does not have to mean simplicity. Through eleven tracks of impeccably crafted guitar pop, The Goods offer an album that is layered, vulnerable, and relentlessly catchy. It is the sound of a band finding their own voice within a storied tradition, and the results are nothing short of triumphant.
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