Boatclub "boatclub"

Boatclub is a five piece rock band that has a wonderfully organic sound that reminds me of Buffalo Springfield crossed with The Lemonheads. The band boasts a potent line up Mark Hanley flanked by grizzled Rain Parade veterans Matt Piucci and John Thoman, bassist Tommy Carns and drummer Stephan Junca. The loose harmonies of “I Used To Fly In My Dreams” is a brilliant Dennis Wilson styled intro to this album. The laid back follow up “Love” has that Neil Young meets Byrds expansive guitar sound. “My Bad Self” compares well with Evan Dando’s catchiest tunes and the ever present guitar rhythm drives everything forward. “Never Gonna Let You Down” then takes guitar textures to the extreme with this Beatles meets Pink Floyd jam, which uses the “Dear Prudence” riff across a dissonant chorus. The ballads approach Robert Pollard-land with great experimental distortions and minimalist melodic beauty. Examples of this contrast are the oppressive “Close” and majestic “Reason for Living.” After a few more listens, you’ll appreciate all the great sonic details stuffed into songs like “Peace and Quiet” and “Tell Me Things,” where they sing “it’s all good fun until someone loses an eye..” It’s almost a revolutionary approach on this massive 18 track beast of an album. The quality of songs don’t drop off here and get both surreal  (“Mouse’s Head”) and psychedelic (“Complacent Americans”). In other words, the band’s batting average is pretty good. Find a nice low lit room, headphones and lose yourself in the boatclub.