Speed Riders Super Cheers LP
This self-described “grunge wave” band from Minneapolis has the goods when it comes to heavy psychedelia that has a bar rock center and doesn’t noodle about unnecessarily. It’s increasingly hard to find a band that jams that doesn’t bore you to tears, but here’s a great example. The music here is heavy, catchy, and even dreamy at times. While they reference grunge in their sound (and to be clear, we’re talking GREEN RIVER/MUDHONEY grunge), there is plenty more to it. It is an expansive sound dipping its beak in rock’n’roll of many eras, reminding me somewhat of the grandeur and referential sound of bands like SPIRITUALIZED and the VERVE, all with a punk rock heartbeat in its chest. What’s so exciting about this record is how many places the band can go from here. It sets the stage for a band who has a lot of ideas, great record collections, and can play their asses off. On the massive album closer “Run (Run, Run, Run),” they give a glimpse at how deep the rabbit hole might go, with its dense psych riffage and a compelling and classic vocal performance. It just keeps going, the kind of “keeps going” that makes you sad when it stops and never has you checking your watch. It’s also the perfect teaser that leaves the listener sat down with all the possibilities ahead.