Speedfossil – Room With a VU, Vol. 1 – EP
Recorded in Waltham, MA this EP was produced by Sir David James Minehan (The Replacements) & is the band’s 4th collection of tunes. It’s supposed to be the first in a series of EPs by singer-songwriter Garret Vandermolen (vocals/guitars/keyboards/percussion).
The showcase originally grabbed me with “Sweetheart” — a Smithereens/Replacements type of vocal blend but when the female singer jumped in & took the tune to a different sensation. The contrast between Garret & Linda Bean Pardee’s voices is excellent. Very Bette Bright with Deaf School oriented (“All Queued Up”).
The performance is part of the 5 hot platters from Room With a VU, Vol. 1 – EP (Drops April 5/Sonic Escort/17:00). It’s a pop-heavy collection that reeks of 80s alt-rock vibrancy vocally & guitar-wise. There are nice touches throughout because the musicians never forget that melody is the driving force.
Each tune has a punctuating intro & nothing sounds too redundant. It’s not overly sophisticated music but it has a jangly potpourri mix that is instantly attractive. Vandermolen has been careful. He arranged each song with its embellishments & sweetness delivered with conviction. There isn’t a wasted note on the 5 songs.
It’s as if Garret took the existing genre & wiped it clean, polished it up & renovated it for a new century. New Jersey’s late Pat DiNizo of the Smithereens would be proud of this conglomeration. It maintains the quality of the “sound” he loved to imbue his songs with.
Though the music sounds relatively simplistic the pulsating delivery is so sharp & clean that you have to admire its fervent drive. The band isn’t trying to impress with its musicality but to remind listeners that music should be fun to play without trying to make deep messages & controversy take the lead. I like this.
Now if they could only insert some more eccentric humor via Sparks, Deaf School & The Tubes.
Highlights – “Sweetheart,” “Magic Trick,” “Frozen Drops of Fire” & “IRL.”
Musicians – Michael Scotti (bass), Dan Jordan (guitar/vocals), Chris Walsh (drums/percussion) with Linda Bean Pardee of the Chelsea Curve (vocals) & horns by Evan Biela (arranged by McCoy Vandermolen).
Color image courtesy of Devious Planet PR. CD & sample songs @ https://speedfossil.bandcamp.com/album/room-with-a-vu-vol-1 &
See a video premiere here: https://americanahighways.org/2024/02/14/video-premiere-speedfossil-sweetheart/