A band drawing from a superb set of influences, The 1981 are doing this whole indie rock / power pop thing very right. The band's new single, out on the on fine Dandy Boy Records label, is two cuts, with each being a gem.
"Soft Goodbye" draws inspiration from Velvet Crush, Shoes, 20/20, and a whole host of excellent bands in the service of modern power pop. The ringing chimes of the song give this a lively appeal that is hard to ignore. The flip, "Count on Me", is more gnarly, and suggests someone's been listening to Hoodoo Gurus, Fleshtones, and The Standells. It's an excellent cut too, but a different shade of pop greatness.
Heck, everything on Dandy Boy Records is worth checking out. So if you're new to the imprint, start here and work your way outwards.
"Soft Goodbye" / "Count on Me" by The 1981 is out now.
[Photo: Corey Poluk]