Dutch Motel
Rock Ridge Music, 2023
8/10
The recording moniker of Doug Albregts, as Little Falls Trophy he takes help on drums for 11 timeless rock and pop songs that make up this sophomore album.
“Thursday’s Friday” begins the listen with crisp guitars and Aaron Shafer-Haiss’ agile drumming for the cozy modern-rock climate, and “Autumn Audio” follows with Dan Konopka, of Ok Go fame, for the calm melodies of the poetic delivery.
Elsewhere, “Universal” offers an intimate and dreamy appeal thanks to the flowing guitar and expressive singing, while “Shared Melody” touches on plenty of rootsy ideas amid the scrappy drumming and smooth singing.
“Silhouette” and “Janie And Jimmy” exit the listen, where the former is a lush and cautious album highlight that flirts with ‘90s rock ideas, and the latter finishes with a bit more grit in a retro alt-rock sort of way.
There’s little doubt that The Beatles have inspired Albregts, and his tender, riff filled and sincere songwriting just might remind you of The Jayhawks, The Strokes or Wilco, too, which I have a feeling no one is going to protest.
Travels well with: The Kennedys- Headwinds; Julian Taylor- Behind The Reservoir