Clown Sounds / Softjaw Volume 2 split 7″
What a fantastic little throwback record this is. One song on each side, one flavor of sweet power pop on each side. The A-side belongs to SOFTJAW, who channel early power pop and some ’60s vibes (in the good BEACH BOYS way, not the bad hippie-dippy kind of way) on the undeniable earworm “Don’t Go Walking Out.” The key here is the layering of the vocal harmonies on one end and the different guitar sounds on the other. A little jangle here, a little reverb there, some clean sounds…it all comes together almost mathematically on the song. Like the ARCHIES, but with the craft on it taken up to eleven. Sadly, one of the members of the band passed away after this recording, but per a note with the record, some of his remaining recordings will be coming out in 2026 under the name UNCLE GRIMM on the same label. If it is anything like this, I will 100% be snagging that record. The B-side belongs to CLOWN SOUNDS and sounds like a lost PAUL WESTERBERG tune circa the Eventually album. Of course, that means there’s a small dose of ELVIS COSTELLO to this, but man, is it well-executed. I know those two reference points stand tall and may generate expectations, but this 7″ blew me the fuck away—I was not familiar with either act and I consider myself a fan of both now.
