It’s only fair for me to divulge that Pet Sounds is quite possibly my favorite album of all time. With that being said I feel comfortable plugging The Explorers Club here on The Muffin. If you imagine the Wilson brothers grew up in South Carolina and were born in the 80’s you can picture these guys. However, instead of just copying The Beach Boys and The Zombies sound they’ve created something fresh that has a little psychedelic touch. Their debut album Freedom Wind has hit summer in the face and carries with it the perfect tunes to have a “BBQ at best mans” with or without Gaylord M. Focker.
The group consists of 6 and was formed in Charleston, SC, which, according to all people over 50, is a “great city.” This is what I hear anyway. Their vocal harmonies are some of the best stuff I have heard in a while. Everytime I hear their single Do You Love Me? I feel like jamming pronto and grabbing as many Coronas as possible with or without limes (there are maybe 2 liquor stores in downtown Boston that have limes by the way…terrible. The first track takes off what Brian Wilson learned from The Ronettes and thus has that rockin’ drum beat. Thank you Phil Spector even though you are so weird. Also check out Don’t Forget The Sun because it has been reported that our very own Bootsy is somewhat obsessed. Even though I learned nostalgia can be painful on season one of Mad Men I am pumped to listen to these guys all summer and fade away.
Here is a little tidbit that I learned from Spin magazine: “The Explorers Club often tap a Los Angeles-based spiritual guru named Lobo for advice. Lobo’s motto: Terrorists don’t surf.” Well, I guess that makes sense. I am also a fan of artists who have gurus, two pop up immediately: The Beatles and Leonard Cohen. Can The Muffin get sued just for writing “The Beatles”? God damn, they have the craziest copyright issues of all time.
Mark your calender pronto and write “buy Freedom Wind.” You don’t have to use italics but don’t go to school or work that day. Breathe and smile. Lobo will be happy. I will be happy. Concordia Discors
The Explorers Club – Do You Love Me?
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The Explorers Club – Freedom Wind
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I think you already know how I feel. and I’ve been listening on repeat for a couple o’ days and haven’t had enough.
I love my new Sydney C
You think limes were hard to find in Boston, try looking for this album mate….found it eventually and will be rockin out all summer. good work sir.
As a Canadian, I find it interesting how often I find those across the border, i.e. Americans, refer to The Beach Boys music with fuzzy, warm “god” like reverence. And Brian Wilson? whoa.
He’s kinda creepy.
I don’t know… I’m a huge Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan and I just can’t listen to these guys. I’ve tried and I even almost liked that first EP, but it ultimately feels waaaay to indebted to the Beach Boys. I’d say Miracle Fortress does a better job of compromising elements and reworking them into something a bit more original… just my two cents.
That being said, I’m really excited about the new-found Beach Boys influence these days. Panda Bear, Animal Collective’s new stuff, Miracle Fortress, Besnard Lakes, etc. I also really really want the new Brian Wilson album (working with Van Dyke Parks again!) to be good… but I can’t imagine it’ll be that great, even though I like “Midnight’s Another Day”.