NOLA
Self-Released, 2018
9/10
The Windy City surf punks Bleach Party sure didn’t hold anything back on this debut album, where the quartet trade their garage rock past for a firm leap into alt-rock, classic rock and ‘80s punk rock on the energetic NOLA.
The album leads with the punk spirited “Other’s Luggage”, where Meg MacDuff’s gritty yet tuneful vocals guide the buzzing and melodic atmosphere, and “Talkin’ Bout UFOs” follows with some ‘90s alt-rock nods as Kaylee Preston’s thundering drums and the swirling guitars from MacDuff and Bart Pappas help shape the rowdy delivery.
The middle tracks offer us a scrappy rocker in “Tom Cruise Control”, which builds into a blistering pace, while “Lunar Moods” initially embarks on a less hectic execution of retro rock before the dynamic rhythm section picks the tempo up. “No Vacancy”, one of the album’s best, then places some pop ideas into a vintage punk formula where Richard Giraldi’s playful bass adds much to the busy landscape.
Close to the exit, “Shopping Is A Feeling” is a punchy and rhythmic good time, and “Let The Good Tides Roll” finishes out the listen with their curious brand of surf-punk that somehow sounds like it could be sandwiched between The Who and Nirvana while fitting in seamlessly.
A highly impressive debut, Bleach Party know their way around crunchy licks, raw yet memorable songwriting and powerful anthems. As bizarre as it sounds, If Babes In Toyland and The Beach Boys had a baby, it might sound like NOLA, and that sounds pretty damn good to me.
Travels well with: The Cutthroat Brothers- Taste For Evil; Pussycat And The Dirty Johnsons- Beast