I defy you to listen to "April Fools", the lead number on the new album from The Goods, and not think it's a lost Nineties jam from Teenage Fanclub. To reach for that comparison is an easy way to describe the music of Oakland's The Goods. While you might know Rob Good from that superb album from Ryli, this is yet another great record he's been involved with. Don't Spoil The Fun by The Goods is also another pearl of a release in a string of them lately from Dandy Boy Records.
The spry "April Fools" and crunchy "Photograph" kick-start the record with a lot of energy. Shades of Velvet Crush, The Jayhawks, Sloan, and others seep through these hooks, and, of course, more than a hint or two of Teenage Fanclub. Rob Good, singing and playing a bunch of instruments here, is joined by Cherron Arens on bass and Gabriel Monnot on guitar to send these numbers into the stratosphere. The jangle of "Raining" brings a flavor of old Three O'Clock sides to things, while "Sunday Morning Out of the Blue" made me think a bit of early singles from The Bangles. For something a little beefier, "Aurora" soars and serves up superb rock that some reviewers may find earns a comparison to the best stuff from Eighties legends Wire Train.
The Goods take a different approach than Ryli. Both records are, however, absolutely excellent, and satisfy fans of indie, or power pop, or whatever you want to call this. It's American college rock as far as this reviewer is concerned, and for those of us old enough to remember what that term meant, that's a ringing endorsement, right? Don't Spoil the Fun by The Goods is very highly recommended.
Don't Spoil The Fun by The Goods is out this Friday via Dandy Boy Records.
[Photo: Corey Poluk]