The Midwest’s premiere garage pop quintet have a new album coming out next week and we can barely contain ourselves. Peach Fuzz’s Cats, Cars, & Guitars is out of the bag on Monday, July 8th, and since we’re only pretty allergic to one of those things we gave it an early listen.
The aptly titled opener “Song In My Head” is full of little ear-worms that will indeed be in your head by the end of it. There are definite Breeders vibes in the vocal harmonies with some neo-psychedelic garage elements that round it out nicely.
“To Do List” is a damn fun organ driven jam with plenty of heavy riffin’ in the left ear for you folks that appreciate a descent pair of headphones. It sounds like an old cliche, but it really is hard to pick just a few standouts from this record. A definite contender is “Low Maintenance GF”. Every element of the band clicks right into place to form a ridiculously catchy song complete with brain-melting guitar solos, angelic harmonies, and even some wistful wind chimes in the intro.
Hits keep coming as the album continues. “All Wound Up” could’ve easily been the latest dance-craze circa 1963 if it were out back then. By the time the “Cool Boi” hits you’ll no doubt be a won over by the charm of Peach Fuzz and be wondering whether you yourself are looking for a “cool boi” or a “nice boi”.
The album even includes one helluva cover song towards the end that I won’t give away just yet. You’ll have to wait for the final track list and take my word for it when I say it’s a RIPPER (and has a cowbell in it).
The album’s closing track “Dirty Chevy” is a stone-cold groove that features a driving rhythm section and a heavy dose of psychedelic guitars and keyboards packed under the hood.
Peach Fuzz manage to find the perfect mix between Kill Rock Stars era indie pop (All Girl Summer Fun Band, Frumpies, etc.) and the garage-psych revival sound. The band knows their way around a good pop song but aren’t afraid to get a little weird and goofy either. The tunes are undeniably catchy and economical in a good way—they don’t require much more than three chords on average and there’s always plenty of guitar riffing and keyboards to fill things out. Singer and guitar shredder Tara Shedor takes on the songwriter role of the band with just the right amount of sarcasm and fun to make songs that are enjoyable to just about anyone. The band definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously but at the heart of it all Peach Fuzz are the real fucking deal.
Stream it or buy the digital download via bandcamp below!
Keep an eye for the album on all of your favorite streaming platforms and the group’s bandcamp page come Monday, July 8th when it’s officially available via Bernice Records.
Pick up a tape in person at the official release show on Monday, July 8th at The Owl in Logan Square. Wet Wallet and Monica Lewinsky are opening. RSVP and get the details for this FREE show via Facebook.