During times like this, the brightest people I know use this opportunity to dive into their passions, their art, their music, and their dreams. Uncertain times are a fertile ground for the creative mind and its temperamental disposition. I’ve had a severe craving for some raw garage power pop and the Radiohearts are the best dealer in town. Back with a new EP after just releasing the scorching Lot to Learn EP a few months ago, this masterpiece of garage pop art insidiously crashes the backyard party of underground music, burning bright and burning fast.
“Tell You” kicks off the festivities with its revved up Barracudas meets Modernettes uppercut. Gnarly single noted riffs and crunchy string amplification crackle and spin. The production packs a severe solidity lacking in most modern garage creations. “So Low” follows next with its Top of The Pops hit single sounds, haunting the earbuds with the ghost of Buddy Holly and the hyper angst of the Nerves.
The rhythm section of Jason Cordero and Mike Yager locks in tight with a thunderous boom and snap that gives this record an addictive underlying rumble. “My Heart Has an Obituary” masterfully highlights how the bass and drums play a huge role in the controlled recklessness of the band’s hook-filled compositions. “Who Are You?” wraps up this quick fever of classy madness with the surefire guitar interplay of Ed Stuart and Tony Ferralez. The glue holding the heart of the Radiohearts together is the unique croon and snarl of vocalist Ed Stuart. An ambitious and appealing urgency shines in the vocals throughout these tunes. This is the band’s second release on the infamous No Front Teeth Records. These Long Beach boys are moving fast and with their current momentum, I can’t wait to see what’s coming next. Vinyl is limited to 300 copies, sleek colors and two different covers, so move fast.
--Kevin McGovern--
FEAR/LOATHING
