GARAGE SURF-ROCK
Good album from The Growlers, a surf/psychedelic/folk/whatever rock band out of Orange County, CA. There’s a retro feel, with various effects on both voice and guitar. Brooks Nielsen’s vocals have a somewhat slurred, drunken, why-care attitude. Catchy melodies with lyrics (printed inside the liner) that are often angry, snarky or alienated.

Mild FCC in #3

1 * Mid-tempo. Cool, jangly guitar. Angry put down of an ex-lover. (2:32)
2 ** Mid-slow. Sad after a breakup. Ironic reference to the Beach Boys. Play this. (2:51)
3 (FCC: “shitty”) 80s synth-pop mix with R&B guitar (think of Blondie). (4:06)
4 Mid-slow. Alienated suburban youth. A dull song about dullness. (3:23)
5 * Mid-fast. Post-punk ranting. Angry about nothing. Good mosh-pit song. (3:25)
6 *** Mid-tempo. Super catchy, uplifting, ska-tinged ballad. Yes, life’s tuff, but there’s always love and hope. (3:29)
7 Slow. Severe downer: life is sad, evil, unfair. Well sung though. (3:34)
8 Mid-slow with a dance feel. Good love is hard to find. (4:10)
9 * Mid-tempo. Just trying to hang on. Good mix of guitars and keyboards. (3:28)
10 * Mid-tempo. Longing for love. Like Ricky Nelson (“Dream Baby”). (4:44)
11 Mid-slow. Another look at the lonely, seedy side of life. Drearily chugs along. (3:08)