Super Cassette “Continue?”
Max and Nick Gerlock, two siblings who have a knack for both melodic and dramatic moments, are the leaders of this Oakland, California-based band. Max’s strong vocals are very reminiscent of Stanton Marriott (Skeleton Staff). Their powerful debut track, “Continue?” draws connections between the arcade gaming world and overcoming crippling anxiety. “Path through the Past” is a dance-pop pastiche with an infectious chorus, but my favorite here is the brilliant “9 to 5” with its strong guitar riffs and commanding rhythm.
Great guitar work punctuates the emotional songs “Ulcer” and “Bastille Day,” the latter in particular with a cheery chorus about “killing the gentry,” so is it about the French Revolution or something else? Another highlight is the odd chord shifts in “Someday” and its chorus that’s both pensive and soothing at the same time. Other songs managed to hold my interest based on their great writing; the ballad “Sliver” is a great example of this. Although not everything is as captivating, the album does not contain any filler. Highly Recommended.
The Small Square “Ours & Others”
The Small Square is an indie rock group of expatriates living in Osaka, Japan. Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush, Matthew Sweet) and John L. Richardson (Tommy Keene, Gin Blossoms, Joey Molland/Badfinger) had a fine debut this past summer that we reviewed. But now the duo has raised the bar exponentially for Ours & Others. Great guitarist John Moremen (Matthew Sweet, Orange Peels) joins Chastain and Richardson as they dominate each song here.
“Twenty Third” feels like Mike Viola meets Sloan, with its hypnotic chorus of “faded out, faded out, fade down.” While the influences from the last album remain, the songwriting stands out a lot more. “The Hourglass” is a fantastic combination of different lead and rhythm guitars; it’s a real joy to listen to. “Open Up” features a cameo from Shoes’ Jeff and John Murphy, and it’s another big highlight. “Insta” shimmers with each strum as it sticks fast in your head. Several of the songs draw on Chastain’s own experiences; for example, the humble rocker “N. Main Blues” is based on his early days in Velvet Crush when they “were losers,” and “Baby Face” is a tribute to the late power pop legend Tommy Keene. Each song hits the mark. It’s not just highly recommended, but it’s worthy of a spot in my 2023 top ten list.
