I must have sat down and began this review at least fifty times. Only to move each one to the recycle bin, because I didn’t like how it started. The whole “you are your own worst critic scenario”. All I wanted was a whimsical way to open a review on an album called Call It a Day from a band named Radar Waves. How hard could that be? Well, now I know the answer to that question. It wasn’t until I sat looking at a blank screen saying to myself, “I’m listening to music from a band who I’d never heard of before being sent these tracks. These are good tunes, so why am I struggling?” And then the irony of that thought hit me – the band name is Radar Waves. They’re a new to me band that was not on my radar. Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you about the music this group of musicians make.
The album opens with a minute long intro of a wall of distortion and cymbals. I knew right away that I was in for a ride. Then the first song, “Moths”, hits me in the face with a simple drum roll to kick it off, followed by a huge sound of melodic guitar and bass fuzz streaming out of my headphones. It’s a heavy song, with a sing along chorus, and some catchy guitar hooks sprinkled through out the track.
Thinking that I knew what to expect, the next song “Ain’t Scared” starts playing. A mellower track, but still has some of the fuzz from the first track and even more catchy guitar hooks! This one got stuck in my head after one listen, so I put it on repeat a few times before moving on to the next song.
After taking the previous track off repeat, I’m welcomed by a distorted bass groove and drum beat that just makes my head nod as “Safe To Say” begins. About 15 seconds in, the vocals come in over the bass and drum. Then the guitar finally drops in and I knew this was going to be my favorite song on the album. The back and forth of just bass, drum, and vocals with the angst of the guitar over the chorus takes me back to a time where music wasn’t labeled and put into sub-genre after sub-genre. It was simply good damn music that got you moving and singing along.
Moving on. “Everybody’s Bitchin’” is a fast punk anthem, short and sweet, and over in a minute and a half.
“Man With A Plan” is more distorted, fuzzy bass, and drums times complimented with amazing guitar hooks. A formula this band has perfected without coming off as generic or trendy. Instead, paying homage to a sound and song template that has fallen to the wayside in modern music.
“Going Nowhere” closes out the album with a bang! Loud, fast guitars (yet still catchy) that ties the album back to the experience created by the wall of distortion and sound the listener was greeted with on the intro.
The whole album clocks in at around 20 minutes, but it is 20 minutes of your time well spent. Radar Waves took me back to my youth. Reminding me of something that I would find in the Sub Pop catalog, but before the mainstream made the label a cliché when they just put out good albums by good underground bands. This band may not have been on my radar before, but they damn sure are now.
Jason is really not as scary as he looks. He is an avid music lover who goes to as many shows as possible to help support the community. He books bands at The Kennel in York PA, handles A&R for Allegedly Records, likes cats, collects vinyl, and has more band t-shirts than he will ever be able wear