Brad Marino “Looking For Trouble”
It took a few years for Brad to find his “groove” but he’s effectively taken the mantle of his old band The Connection, and made it his own. After a cautious debut, his former bandmate Geoff Palmer came out swinging with a louder, faster, punkier LP in 2019, Brad has effectively and literally “evened the score” with this album. Everything you ever loved about The Connection is on display and it’s got plenty of hooks, crushing riffs, and a variety of styles.
The bluesy guitar riffs open up “Even The Score” as Brad takes his “troubles in stride” and is “taking on the haters and trolls.” Even better is “Taillights Fade,” the catchy verse-chorus combo will stick in your head for days, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing along. Title track “Looking for Trouble” is another winner that has just the right amount of twang as it recalls The Georgia Satellites. Marino also doesn’t take himself too seriously as “Local Show” is a funny look at small venue shows (“which means nobody will go”) and I have personally heard that cheap nerd narrative in the last half of the song. The instrumental “Tripwire” is a nice tribute to guitar gods Duane Eddy and Dick Dale. Overall, there is not a false note here, every track rocks! This album is a contender for my top ten in 2021 for sure. Highly Recommended.
Ramirez Exposure “Exit Times”
Víctor Ramírez better known by his stage name Ramírez Exposure, is a Valencia, Spain- based, DIY pop singer/songwriter. Victor’s influences are rooted in the sixties, but he’s not a retro artist. Exit Times has plenty of hook-laden themes displayed throughout. His sound is somewhere between David Brookings and Secret Friend.
Victor’s double-tracked vocals are distinct on the richly detailed opener “Bridges and Roads.” Next, the title track layers two guitar rhythms and drums together as Victor imagines white sand beaches just beyond the Pandemic timeline, but the best track here is “The Rituals” a love song that bounces along to an infectious call-and-response chorus. Next, things mellow a bit as the next several tracks have a dream-like thematic quality, and “Dalingeria” is another standout here. The end single “Dysfunctional Girl” feels like a bonus track, with a sweet guitar riff to send us off. It’s a grower that demands repeat listens with headphones. Highly Recommended.
Amazon Singles: Dysfunctional Girl | Exit Times | The Rituals