The Growlers are
a part of the California coastline garage band movement that’s made many people pleased with
its dreamy imagery and matched with a distinctly 60s throwback style. Their latest offering is a sample of demos
called Beach Goth, which just so
happens to be the style of music the band prefers to be referred to as. Some of
their songs are often sung in a way that would make most people think of the
ramblings of a beach-going drunkard who’s had far too much sun. This album was
made as a kind of preview of what’s to be expected on the band’s next album, Hung At Heart, due out early next year.
So most of what we hear on these demo tracks is just what you might expect from
a demo; it’s short, rough and in some instances particularly memorable.
Sit On A Slug,
features a lot of organ at its heart and very faint background percussion, this
sets the tone for this track and it makes it one that stands out as one of the
demo’s best. It’s No Use is one of
those demo tracks that reminds you of what the kernel of a great song really
is; well executed, memorable and just begging to be fleshed out. One Million Lovers is sung with a
distinctly laidback feel that The
Growlers seem to be achieving with ease throughout this demo album. The
rough gain that permeates this particular song provides a sense that the band
is almost playing under water or that you as the listener are hearing the band
perform a few apartments over from your own.
It is a common effect of low tech recording sessions but in the case of The Growlers it works very well with
the band’s overall style. In fact, Beach
Goth is reminiscent of another demo which was rereleased by Lou Barlow
earlier this year and both of them were released on cassette tape. So dust that
Walkman off and get listening.
The Growlers have
certain charm to their style of music that seems almost unintentional, which
makes it all the more charming.
