This is great and back to what we are primarily known for. From Weezer's Blue through to Tsar's self titled debut, a world of wonderful melodic Power Pop was unleashed in the States. Whilst we had Brit Pop over here, the States was less Retro, bringing a Guitar led melodic Pop that made Summer seem like all year round. Some UK bands, such as Silver Sun, got it.
However, this was an American led thing that demonstrated how life affirming Power Pop could be. Pop song were back in focus, aided by the likes of Not Lame and Kool Kat. There's been much less of it since, it has become a forgotten art. Even Weezer seem to have lost the plot.
Shortwaves are a quartet from Dallas, a state not necessarily known for the genre, and they give people who were around in the past, a big poke to realise what fun it all was. But more importantly, this may all be new to the younger audience that we have picked up and I am certain that they will be enthralled.
Mental Health In The Information Age is wall to wall goodness, full of hooks, riffs and big big choruses. Guitar driven without ever being noisy. The pace doesn't let up, it is ace at everything it attempts and the quality control is top notch.
The problem with this sort of album as time went on was one of front loading. Three great opening tracks that became singles with songs that followed being more filler. There's not a bit of that here. Picking any of the 12 songs here as preference would be difficult. Indeed Track 11, Just Like You, may be the best thing on show.
There's even room for an instrumental, Dances With Cats, that is as engaging as what surrounds it. The album takes me back, but also as its place in the now. It is a chance for the next generation to hear something different and even discover that great past. What an absolutely cracking listen!
You can listen to and buy
here.
