Great indie rock bands have long made a habit of recasting the music of our parents’ youth. Turn on Dr. Dog, Olivia Tremor Control, or The Black Angels for just a few examples of bands who make glorious new music in classic moulds. Now take the idea a step further. Take the homage just far enough that you can imagine yourself experiencing, say, The Beach Boys in their prime, but with fresh songs not tempered by a generation of ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’. This is elation without irony. This is The Explorers Club’s debut album, ‘Freedom Wind’. The Beach Boys are the obvious touchstone, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll hear flourishes of Paul McCartney, The Byrds, Emitt Rhodes, ELO and doo-wop. Embracing a pop blueprint from a time when great songs were played on the radio and everybody loved them all, The Explorers Club has recorded the sweetest pop record you are likely to hear this year. ‘Freedom Wind’ was recorded in the summer and fall of 2007, a triumph of lush arrangements and lush four-part harmonies. The Explorers Club are doing for the summer beach song what Amy Winehouse has done for R&B or Sharon Jones for funk and soul, what Antibalas have done for Afro-beat. They’re reclaiming the classics as their own, injecting them with life and making music that that transcends any era. This is how pop music is supposed to sound.
Forever Honey, I Don't Know Why Don't Forget The Sun Lost My Head Do You Love Me? Summer Air If You Go In The Country Safe Distance Hold Me Tight Last Kiss Freedom Wind