Miesha & The Spanks

Unconditional Love In Hi-Fi

Mint, 2023

9/10

Listen to Unconditional Love In Hi-Fi

A duo from Calgary, Miesha & The Spanks bring us 15 tracks of their riff heavy and very animated version of garage rock.

After the brief, bright opener, “necwiyewt”, “Dig Me Out” emits thumping drums and buzzing guitars into the New Wave spirit that is filled with Miesha’s radiant and spunky vocals, and “So Mad” continues the driving rock ideas with plenty of fuzzed out melodies.

Elsewhere, “I Can’t Wait” recruits plenty of power-pop ideas amid the well timed backing vocals and thick musicianship, while “Heart Is On Fire” is an anthemic album highlight that’s got so much infectious crunch alongside Miesha’s sing-alongs.

Closer to the end, the dense rocker “Enough Is Enough” places pretty moments in between the thundering, grungy bouts, and “I Was Gonna” exits with a punky spirit that’s friendly enough for the FM dial, but tinted with a fierceness, too.

Miesha is joined by Sean Hamilton’s very lively percussion, and additional help from Paul Rawson and Daniel Farrant for a listen that might remind you of Joan Jett, L7, Buzzcocks or The Stooges. And who could have any problem with that?

Travels well with: Foxy- Can’t Stop Us/X-Ray Spex Tribute; The Hollywood Stars- Sound City