The Dates “Ask Again Later”
Out of Los Angeles, singer-songwriter Garett Goddard (Personal and The Pizzas, King Tuff) created the alter-ego band The Dates. On his debut, he worships at the power pop altar of Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, and The Flaming Groovies. The jangle-tastic “Any Other Nite” would easily fit on Grand Prix. Next, “Star” and “Pictures With Rene” keeps the same feel with more of a tilt toward #1 Record. Hero worship will only get you so far… but Goddard’s production has a deliberate lo-fi rough edge that keeps it fresh. And the hook-filled riffs of “Friday Nite @Vineland” and “Nervous” make this an album that can’t be missed.
The songwriting is basic and to the point; “Love’s Made A Fool Of You” and “Summer Girls” are perfect teen heartbreak anthems, where you “don’t want to go to school… I wanna stay home in my room… all the time” Every song held my interest and encouraged repeat listens, so that makes it an early favorite on my Top Ten of 2019 album list. Obviously, it’s Super Highly Recommended.
Emperor Penguin “Walnut Fascia”
Nigel Winfield and Neil Christie form the anchor for the UK-based band Emperor Penguin. The band marries power pop with elements of psyche and prog rock. “The Miasma at Euston” is a pastiche of The Beatles, The Jam, The Fall and a touch of King Crimson. Another highlight, “Shaking Spear” is a wicked rolling riff with a Who-like harmonic repeating chorus, and amazing shredding follows. Next, “See Ya later, Sayulita” has a memorable jangling melody, and “Only Love” is another gem that instantly hooks you.
“Sorry Not Sorry” plays heavily into the 60’s sound with its psyche-pop rhythm as a pitch-perfect political protest song. “Hotel Diplomat” has a very “Dukes of The Stratosphere” feel with its harpsichord and descriptive lyric. Then out of left field, the dense “Jensen Interceptor” almost sounds like a Love and Rockets tune. The prog style is dialed up a few notches for the rest of the album, and you get crazy psychedelics like “Brian is Flying Us Off to Mars” and the faux James Bond soundtrack “(The Theme From) Falling Tree.” While inconsistent, it’s never incoherent. Fans of The Grip Weeds, The Pillbugs and 60’s anglophiles you couldn’t do better. They are also scheduled for IPO Liverpool in May — don’t miss them! Highly Recommended.
