Wes Hollywood, a well known Chicago rock veteran (The Wes Hollywood Show) always had a deep rooted sense of melodic rock. Here in his new band Tenniscourts, he has the energy built on the stylings of Elvis Costello and Cheap Trick. Starting off with “Forever True” it lives on those loud heavy guitar riffs. “All I want is a swimming pool…” sets the theme for a blistering set of riffs on “Swimming Pool” and a touch of Ray Davies styled lyrical appeal about a kid’s dream. This working man’s touch to is also revealed in “Love In The Night.” The mid-tempo “Falling” has some awesome guitar melody and is my favorite on this album, it has a lots of subtle details that makes it rise to greatness. Spencer Matern’s effortlessly melodic bass lines on “Crystal City” bring to mind Oasis (take that Noel Gallager). “Ordinary Life” bounces along with “la la la” choruses and could be a sequel to The Kinks “Well Respected Man” with Mr. Pleasant finally reaching millionaire status. The big riffs come back in “In The Scene” and no track here falls flat. Overall, an excellent album worth more than a few spins on the ole’ ipod.
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