By Ian Lockwood
Arts Editor
“City Club”, the newest album return of California surf rock band “The Growlers”, is a unique mixture of their past recordings and a new funk tone.
Combining their classic sound and new influences, the album is a diverse collection of dance inspired drums, classic surf guitar riffs, and identical monotonous synth progressions.
“The Growlers” is a surf rock indie band from Orange County, California that formed in 2006. They are known for the top singles “Going Gets Tough” and “One Million Lovers” and their last album release “Chinese Fountain”.
On past albums the band has collaborated with a myriad of big producers such as Dan Auberbach of “The Black Keys” but this album “The Growlers” worked with small producer Julian Casablancas from “The Strokes” and then released it on Casablanca’s record label, Cult Records.
Link: Behind the scenes video of what went into producing their new album.
One of the most notable features of the album is the return of their distinct surf culture tone. Throughout the album the blend of reverberated guitars and grainy vocals creates this distinct sound. The return of their classic tone keeps the listener intrigued and wanting more.
Additionally something unique about the album and new to “The Growlers” style of music is the funk inspired and lively drum progressions. The changed in tone of the drums is apparent on the first few tracks such as “City Club” and “Vacant Lot”. The incorporation of a new drum style produces a distinct and energetic atmosphere in the music.
The downside of “City Club” is that on a few of the tracks they used the similar 80s inspired synths. The constant repetition of the monotonous progressions becomes dull and boring, straying away from the band’s creative ability that is present on the rest of the album.
Link: Check out The Growlers’ new album, “City Club”.
“City Club” is a more than satisfying return of “The Growlers” due to the classic surf rock sound, and collection of funk inspired drums, dull synth progressions, and classic surf rock guitar riffs.
“City Club” was released on September 30, and is available for listening on Spotify and Apple Music.
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