I haven't been too thrilled with new music in the last few months, there are just too many reissues of reissues floating around and a glut of auto tuned, disgustingly overproduced reunion records. It's an annoying trend that highlights the lack of original new music actually worthy of a listen. My response to this is a new found obsession with 1970s one hit FM wonders. I've always been fascinated by the creepiness and hollow soul of the decade I was born. The world was new and everything looked so lopsided and strange. The radio stations were eerie and fascinating. It's like they were speaking in acid dipped tongues on those muddled sound waves. Saccharine atrocities committed by Paper Lace, Nick Gilder, and Sugarloaf. I swear to god, it's always raining and permanently gray with Jonestown, Guyana burned into the square TV screen whenever I try to locate my memories. Discovering new weirdness in forgotten train wrecks is a gratifying distraction.
When I think of 1980, everything is sleek, bright, and neon just like one of my first records, K-Tel's “Rock 80”. This mind blowing compilation contained classic and crisp compositions by the Knack, Joe Jackson, the Ramones, and Blondie. A refreshing blast of radioactive candy to relieve me from the bell bottomed dreariness of the Me Decade. The latest release by Long Beach, California's Radiohearts would fit right in with the stellar lineup of “Rock 80”. This five song power pop dynamite is an impressive collection of eclectic punked out pop. While other bands bands in the genre continue to water themselves down in search of imaginary fame, the Radiohearts play in the red with a raw burning intensity.
The lead track “Daytime Man” is an explosive number that fuses the rough and rootsy melodies of Impatient Youth with the reckless sting of early Damned. “Alright” blasts even harder in the anthem department with it's Cheap Trick-esque structure and classy double stop guitar soloing. This extended play does not let up or disappoint. The hits are catchier than ever on this release. “Wasting Time” and "Know That Song” are some of the band's best songs to date. The guitars are edgier and the choruses punch harder. If you thought power poppers couldn't punk out, you're dead wrong. “No More” is a deadly shot of Thunders rock damage, wired to kill with its safety pinned purity and wired rhythm. If you dig this, you'll be all over their earlier releases. A worthy addition to your record collection.
Radiohearts
Wanda Records
-Kevin McGovern
