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On their second full-length, this Tucson, AZ foursome serves up more of the raucous, ‘60s garage/psych/R&B-influenced rock they introduced on 2010’s Take a Ride with the Modeens. Back then they were a duo of singer/guitarist Jamie Laboz and singer/bassist Cristina Williams, getting drum help from engineer J Fen Ikner. But they’ve reinforced their lineup by adding keyboardist/harmonicist Dave Prival and drummer Dave DiDay. And while Electric has a cleaner sound than the rawer-produced debut, it still feels as invigorating. The opening “Modeens Theme” sets the stage with Prival’s swirly “96 Tears”-like organ and Laboz’s reverb-drenched licks, punctuated by broken beer bottles, drunken howls and yelps, spirited handclaps, and loads of boisterous mayhem. The kaleidoscopic, horn-laden “Fantasy” (sung by Williams) and the Van Morrison/Them “Gloria”-isms of “Mr. Jones” continue in that vein.
Electric also finds the band veering into uncharted, yet stylistically comparable waters. For example, a trio of dense and vigorous tunes, “What I Need,” “Caroline,” and “Not About Me,” have more of a thrashy, early Replacements or T.S.O.L. punk feel (Laboz even recalls T.S.O.L.’s Jack Grisham on the latter two). Meanwhile, the gutbucket boogie-rock of “Drinkin’ is a Full Time Job” and the banjo-fueled, back-porch hoedown “Favorite Shoes” show off a festive country/roots-rock side. Finally, Williams’ sultry, soaring pipes and Prival’s rousing harp playing highlight the driving, desert-scorched stormer “Faster,” before the album winds down with the relaxed, bluesy duet “Free My Mind.” In short, Electric is all killer, no filler! Now if only the band would announce a show the next time I’m visiting my brother in nearby Scottsdale, I’d be a happy man.
