Wreck Loose
OK, Wreck Loose
Self-released
http://www.wrecklooseband.com/
Wreck Loose is the kind of band that you could share with your parents and grandparents; it’s a band that everyone can enjoy together. It doesn’t even matter if the whole family understands the cheeky lyrical quips and pop-culture references that peek through. It’s a blend of Elton John, Ben Folds and Rupert Holmes, with a sprinkle of Steely Dan spice.
The debut full-length OK, Wreck Loose sounds bright and dreamy, with a delightfully warm tone. Despite the somewhat comforting nostalgia offered by the music, Wreck Loose’s lyrics have an anxious, moody underbelly. A few well-timed jokes and jabs keep the load from getting too heavy, but that duality exists on the record.
OK, Wreck Loose plays like a collection of songs you’d drunkenly belt out, along with your buddies at your favorite neighborhood bar. From the very first notes, and a Springsteen-y dramatic intro, the record has that big-rock feel.
It carries through on tracks like “Placebo” and “Phil Spector Killed Someone Today.” The classic-rock epic feel shows up on “Country Mouse,” a tune that moves from a twangy, bluesy trip to a straightforward piano-rock track, before concluding with an introspective lounge feel.
Frantic dance energy consumes “Hearts Been Broken,” showing that Wreck Loose can speed it up, as well as rock a mid-tempo ballad or dark voyage like “Isn’t It a Shame About Kurt.”
Perhaps OK, Wreck Loose is not a record that delivers a brand-new sound or presents a genre you’ve never heard before. But its ability to take classic influence and package it into a more modern sound is pretty satisfying.
