Album Reviews

Bad Weather California – Sunkissed (Family Tree)

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Bask in the summer and get Sunkissed with Bad Weather California. On their second album, the Denver rockers sail to the distant shores of early ’60s surf rock (the Ventures, Dick Dale & the Del-Tones) but with an alternative edge reminiscent of the Meat Puppets and Flaming Lips. Throughout, tracks pinpoint past memories of summer bliss, whether joyriding with the top down or drinking a cold one on the beach.

“I’ll Reach Out My Hand” celebrates new experiences and rocks like a hammock with an addicting sunken guitar and organ medley. The Kinks-laced “Stand In My Sunshine” is the one for anyone who’s fallen in love on vacation, perfectly representing that temporal relationship we can’t help but pretend will last forever. “Let It Shine” employs a Black Keys-vibe for foundation, but builds a house of its own with inviting call-and-response lyrics and a shot of the Champs’ “Tequila” for a unique concoction. The band reaches a new peak both lyrically and instrumentally on “I’ll Sing Along,” and if a sunset had a theme song, this would be it. Not gonna lie, I listened to this gem for three hours straight.

– Melissa Caruso

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