The Growlers

[Surell]

I've just now discovered this band, recommended because I dig John Maus, and I can understand the relation because they give a lo-fi treatment to a more retro sound, only where John Maus goes with a deconstruction of popular music forms of the 80s, like pop or funk or Joy Division type stuff, these guys pick apart the 60s, from that kinda Phil Spectorish sound translated to a regular band format, The Zombies pop, the Animals or Doors type of chilly rock, there's a riff on this one song that's a little Shins sounding, and there's a little country rock there too, and even a kinda reggae sound. The guy has a very dry voice, not like monotonous but it sounds kinda brittle. It's cool stuff, though, very well done and pretty neat considering what's popular, even if it seems kind of Best Coast-ish, it really feels totally derived from the era, like this is archived material from the 60s version of Fat Possum.

The only downside is that this pretty rad album is called Hung At Heart. But don't let that deter you.



I can't remember what this sounds like, voice is very reminiscent, especially with the chord changes and melody. It's a really sweet tune though, like back in those Buddy Holly days though.



This is the one that seems kind of, I think it's dubby? Not sure if that's the right kind of reggae I'm thinking of.

[WWWP]

The Growlers are great! My band listens to them when we're setting up our equipment to get pumped, haha. I've played them in plug a few times but didn't get much of a reaction, glad to see a thread has been made.

My favorite track to date:

[Surell]

I'm just happy to actually be listening to newer music, this is probably only the third or forth album from this year I've taken up sadly enough. But yeah, they've got a really good grasp on the sounds they cover, like John Maus or even more so Foxygen, so even if it's not entirely original their skill and passion with it make up. Their newest album is very uplifting, kinda like how there's hardly a bummer of a CCR song, they've all got this vibe that really pulls you up.

What else would you recommend if I'm digging this latest release, btw? Is it all more or less similar or no?

[sidewinder]

Discovered these guys a few months ago and have really enjoyed them. Are You in or Out? is the best album to me, but I enjoy Hung at Heart and the Hot Tropics EP as well. Haven't heard the rest. One complaint is that their albums are a bit samey, a bit more variety would be nice. Maybe that's why I prefer Are You in or Out? as it was the first one I heard so their sound was still fresh to me.

[coolfriendmark]

The vocals make this band. I can't quite pin down what he sounds like, but his voice along with the perfectly timed effects make them stand out. My only complaint is that I don't see much growth in this band from Hot Tropics to Gilded Pleasures. 2 albums and an EP makes their style kind of tired by now. Their sound is enough to blow up but not enough to sustain.