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Power? Check. Pop? Absolutely. The aptly christened Summertimes effortlessly check both boxes in the expansive realm of buoyant power-pop. The very name of the band also deftly hints at their sun-drenched, carefree vibes. Sometimes, you glean a wealth of information even before you drop the digital needle on the virtual record. This is one of those times.
Once you venture inside, you’ll encounter 10 succinct, punchy, and astoundingly immediate pop gems. These tracks have one foot in the pop camp, for sure, but lean towards the robust embrace of guitars, the swagger of authentic drums, and luscious bass lines that underpin the entire affair. Add to that the upbeat and infectious vocals, delivering verses and choruses with a sing-along factor cranked up to a dizzying 127.3% and you have something rather special.
Between the almost Jam-like punch of “Password” and the pastoral beauty of “Sky and the Sea,” a tune that seems to offer more than a slight nod to Aussie icons The Go-Betweens, they present a collection of dexterous and deft songs that wander freely across the spectrum of pop power, poignacy and poise. These tracks effortlessly balance pop melodicism with rock muscle, making it all seem like a walk in the park. And it can’t be a mere coincidence that “Athens GA” brings to mind R.E.M. at their zenith, only with sharper vocal enunciation and less cryptic lyricism. (Sorry, Michael.)
What a bloody brilliant album! Add it to your “must-buy” list right now. Have you done it yet? Excellent.
