Uni Boys “Buy This Now”
Since their debut last year, the Uni-Boys have been a leader among bands that reference vintage late-70s power pop, and Buy This Now! refines their sound. The Uni Boys’ new material was recorded with Michael and Brian D’Addario, aka The Lemon Twigs, themselves masters of analog production. Despite drawing inspiration from bands like Big Star, Milk ‘N’ Cookies, and The Beat, The Uni Boys manage to strike a nice balance between solid songcraft and the raw attitude of much older rock ‘n’ roll.
Leading off is the catchy gem “Let’s Watch a Movie,” a celebration of doing nothing but chillin’ in front of the TV after a long day of work with handclaps and Beach Boys harmonies. The simple organ riff in “Down to the City” and the surf-style bass hook in “Hiding in My Home” are the pinnacle of the Uni Boys’ dedication to staying in bed and eating takeout food naked. The intermingled background harmonies and understated lead are what allow this band to level up. All the songs sound deceptively simple but are meticulously constructed. Highlights include “I Don’t Believe In Love,” “I’m Alright,” and the jangling “Intentions.” In fact, there is not a single dud here, and Buy This Now! showcases their particular style of power pop perfectly and makes my top ten list this year. Highly recommended.
The Radio Field “Don’ts and Dos”
German jangle pop band The Radio Field delivers a crisp, bright sound that is sure to warm your heart. Lead singer Lars Schmidt from indie German pop band Subterfuge had a desire to get his “indie-pop mojo” back, and he succeeded here in spades.
Starting with the lead single “Clover,” which, along with “Sick and Tired,” “Years Ago,” and “Love,” demonstrates his skillfully crafted and coiffed jangle, with smooth vocals and style reminiscent of the late 1980s. “Disorder” and “She Needs Therapy” have some dreamy fuzz guitar to keep things from getting too light. “The Version” featuring Robert Stadlober adds bright horns to the mix, and it’s one of the album’s finest moments. This style is also in the album’s closer, “Love,” with a simple country rhythm that calmly sends us out with the message, “Life is a wonderful thing.” Don’ts And Dos is a delight to listen to because of the care and precision with which it was composed and performed. Highly recommended.
