Bubblegum punk with a hint of pub rock. Has a classic ELVIS COSTELLO vibe, but of course brings to mind the RAMONES. Reminds me a bit of radio darlings the OUTFIELD, except more lo-fi. Poppy guitars and catchy-yet-haunting vocals. Nothing groundbreaking, but this is some solid punk rock here. Perfect for a drunken summer beach day.
The second record from Seattle’s TASTE TESTORS, Come Back! is a smooth blast of four-chord style. These guys are super dialed-in, with a sound that applies lounge act levels of class to their O.G. pop punk spirit. Delivered with complete control, these eleven tight tunes stick closely to the tried and true RAMONES rock’n’roll formula. Just when you think they might let loose, they show you the impeccable shine of their pristine leather jackets once again. Highly polished and perfectly composed, the songs aren’t angsty, but assured, reading something like DARK THOUGHTS with post-nut clarity.
Melodic Seattle punkers who probably enjoy the CLOROX GIRLS and ’70s rock staples, and who definitely enjoy re-watching Idiocracy, attempting to conflate said liberal eugenics take with the current fascist moment. Their lyrics tell tales of wacky dystopia scenarios in between lashing out at assorted stripes of stupid bullshit, be it do-nothing liberals, the right, or being displaced to Lynnwood (a generic suburb where my dad used to live—it sucks) as the latest victim of Condo-zilla eating up one’s neighborhood. Musically, it’s competent and fun, if not memorable, though I’d go catch them at the Ballard Firehouse if it hadn’t been turned into a fancy restaurant.
