Extra Arms, a Detroit band, has always been quite good, and on 2022’s ‘What Is Even Happening Right Now?’ they leveled up. ‘Radar’ continues that trend, and we have a fantastic album here full of infectious power pop hits that will stick in your head.
They named the album after bass player Ryan Marshall’s dog. Why not? They start with the howling feedback of “Be Someone Else,” with a killer beat, and monster energy. Influences are a great mix of The Replacements, Elvis Costello, The Buzzcocks, and The Cars. There is no “doggy-do” here, and the first 5 songs are all killer, including “Everything Disappears,” “All Good Things Take Time,” and “I Don’t Wanna Surrender.” The song “Shut’Em Down” in particular is a relentless, fast-paced assault that is ideal for your running or exercise soundtrack.
There is a breather mid-way on the smooth “Space and Time” with strategic steel pedal accents, and then it gives us an amazing closing rocker, “Mad Dog Blue,” and you can hear Allen struggling with the concept of time passing beneath it all. Overall, a great album, and it makes my top ten list this year! Highly Recommended.
The Motorists are a group of lifelong friends and colleagues from Toronto who, in their catchy and energizing music, combine the rough-edged fuzz of modern rock with the nostalgic jangle of college rock from the 1980s. This sophomore album has more of a power pop edge, with short, catchy tunes that have some elements of new wave mixed in.
“Decider” has that jangly, post-punk, fuzzy melody. “Call Control” is another standout with its bass lead. It’s a fuzzy gem that recalls Echo and The Bunnymen or The B-52’s with its guitar rhythms. But it isn’t that predictable, with different elements of alt-rock and occasional vocal harmonies on “L.O.W,” and “Forced Perspective.” The Sloan-like guitar riffs on “Barking at the Gates” surprised me. No filler here, and worth repeat listens for sure. Highly Recommended.
Does power pop meet shoegaze? Dazy does it effortlessly with a dense fuzz that would make Bob Mould blush, but with melodies that stick with you faster than a Sugar rush. The theme here is letting your feeling out, as he asks “Is that my brain hanging by a thread?” on the title track. The buzzing riffs and feedback dominate each short track, and most are under 2 minutes.
“On My Way” recalls classic Green Day with its monster riffs, but the standout here is “Rollercoaster Ride,” a big metaphor and an even bigger melody that hooks you quickly. “Deadline” boasts harmonies over the fuzz, then “Choose Yr Ramone” pokes fun at the band itself as lead singer  James Goodson states “Roll your eyes and clap your hands. Laughing at the cover bands.” But it’s the anthemic choruses here that are the point, and it’s a great ride. We get off at the quieter breather “Inside Voice,” but overall a terrific new band. Highly Recommended.
With a nondescript cover and release this past summer, I honestly missed this one. Didn’t see Ryan Allen’s name, but holy crap the Extra Arms are his main band. And they are firing on all cylinders here. Detroit’s prominent power pop band takes the country’s anxieties and puts it all to melodic rock gold. The digital starting tones lead to “Fun Guy” a fast-paced, energetic rocker that takes no prisoners. The band leans hard on the heavy side of Fountains of Wayne as far as lyric and melodic sense.
“Big Dogs” continues the party, with big riffs hitting targets, with a call-and-response coda. Then “Falling into Place” recalls Superdrag and Guided By Voices with its dense hard rock rhythm. Earlier this year, COVID had Ryan trapped in his house, working from home, and the Cars-like “Feeling Alright” answers those Cabin Fevered questions. Overall a great album, with Ryan’s foot on the gas for all ten tracks. It could’ve used a breather (or ballad) toward the end. But it still makes my top ten list for 2022.
Amazon | Kool Kat Musik