Golden Girl
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
The debut album from the singer, vocalist, songwriter and author Mary Strand, these 10 songs touch on pop and rock ideas, and welcome some excellent guest musicians from the vibrant Minneapolis scene.
“Alexa Please” gets the listen off to an energetic start, where Jack Strand’s crisp drums, lively guitar and Strand’s raw yet tuneful voice make for a crunchy rocker, and “Different Kind Of World” follows with Mark Wade’s skilled bass and the gritty garage rock nods that won’t go unappreciated.
In the middle, Sarah Morris’ lovely pipes appear on the intimate and lush “I Don’t Want To Be Your Yesterday”, while the warm “The Me I Need To Be” carries a bit of punky spirit in the harmonic album highlight.
“Stay For Breakfast” and “Act As If” exit the listen, where the former showcases Ryan Smith’s fluid piano playing in the mature versus adventurous song craft, and the latter is a hand clapping, scrappy, summery finish that unfolds like a beach anthem.
All the songs here surround the theme of love, and Strand’s influences from The Muffs, Ramones and The Beach Boys won’t be hard to miss across this infectious and excellent first record.
Travels well with: Brynn Andre- Honeymoon; Sarah Morris- Here’s To You