I don’t know how long this was in the making but to release a new album just as “six-seven” becomes the new skibbidy is a spot of luck, although the kids saying “six-seven” probably don’t know what a CD is. Or an album. Or where Boston is.
This is Six Going On Seven’s first new record in 20 years, though it doesn’t sound like a band that old; it could be from a gang of youngsters. Apparently, back in the day they supported bands like Jimmy Eat World but they passed me by. Josh English on vocals sounds bizarrely like whichever one of Congleton’s Gorman brothers sang with Kill The Young (Tom?).
After a sound effect opening track, “Jack Jones” opens with boopy synth, Tom Gorman coming before the rest of the band. “Richie Valens Memorial Hwy” livens the album up briefly but it is basically mid-tempo indie pop. The title track is good, with an evocative opening and a nice guitar solo. Side two tails off into being a side two but “King Tide” is decent, a summery song that creates a standing-by-the-sea vibe. A decent enough album, I’m just not sure who’d buy it.
JMC
