Reviews

FOLC

Loose Lips One More Chance EP

Featuring members of the PRIZE, the CHATS, and CHUBBY AND THE GANG, I was definitely set up with high expectations and interested in what sound might win out in that wild game of rock, paper, scissors. Fans of any of those bands will be excited to hear these songs, and I think the classic punky power pop sounds of the PRIZE jump out first. One thing here which helps differentiate this EP from the sounds made in the members’ other projects was the splash of bar boogie, especially in the track “Told You So.” And while I don’t think these tracks vastly outshine their other projects or anything (at least in this first offering), I imagine they had a blast putting these songs together, and that energy definitely shines through. Would love to hear how this project might evolve further in the future.

See-Saw At Any Time / Just Want to Be Free 7″

Two caffeinated rock’n’roll hits from this Kyoto, Japan band that is named after a song by the JAM. Both sides have a bouncy, infectious song that rides the line between punk and pub rock, like CHUBBY AND THE GANG or a sped-up UNDERTONES. “Just Want to Be Free” has all the elements for a melodic good time: palm-muted guitars with a simple chorus, classic guitar fills, and backing vocals. I was expecting hand-claps somewhere in the mix, but I guess you can just add your own at home. Fun and catchy record that could have come out any time in the last 40 years, but still sounds fresh.

Varonas Instinto Animal EP

Given that there are Spanish labels involved here and the songs are sung in Spanish, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that these folks might be Spanish. Whether or not that’s true, if you’re a fan of female-fronted, sometimes up-tempo power pop with a focus on the vocals, this is likely for you. There’s nothing that says that your punk rock or power pop can’t come from someone with a pretty voice. Three quick songs, and just like that, it’s over. Well-played and well-produced. I wanted more.