The Tearaways - And For Our Next Trick (2023) Hi-Res

On album number six Santa Barbara’s The Tearaways rinse/repeat their timeless rock and roll formula with good effect. The new record is And For Our Next Trick and it brings together a number of cool pre-release singles they’ve put out recently, like the rock and roll drummer’s homage “Charlie, Keith, and Ringo.” The song seems pretty apropos given the band’s drummer is the legendary Clem Burke of Blondie, Romantics and The Empty Hearts fame. The other ten tunes are also relentlessly good. The sixties nods are there but the overall sound is that dynamite eighties fusion of old and new rock and roll honed by Petty’s Heartbreakers, the Romantics and many others. “Not Good Enough For Me” captures this synthesis perfectly, mixing Norman Petty Texas rock elements with straight-up 1980s FM rock radio. Pumping piano and sweet harmony vocals define “Come On Jaan” while “No Love Lost” is carried by a buoyant lead guitar solo. “Let Me Be The Last,” “Goodnight Nurse” and “Emotional Distance” really lean in to the 1960s, very Beatles Revolver/Rubber Soul era. Then “Saturday Everyday” and “Easier Done Than Said” punch a more 1980s weight. But the should-be hit single for me is “Married and Single” with its earwormy guitar work and candy-coated vocals. And For Our Next Trick is another winning collection from a band that never gets old.

The good news is that after over 40 years, the Californian supergroup is still making music that is at least as good as it was in its early years, and you can download their new full-length album "And For Our Next Trick". John "Fin" Finset (vocals, bass), Greg Braglier (vocals, rhythm guitar), David Heckhouse (lead guitar) and Clem Burke (drums), joined by Benmont Tench (keys) and Stephen McCarthy (pedal steel) , know all the movements for maximum effect, performed here in full force. All of our favorite labels apply to these twelve songs: catchy, energetic, melodic, fun, powerful, and so on. This is classic power pop for today. You'll hear the unambiguous Are You Fucking Kidding Me in two versions and a successful tribute to Charlie, Keith and Ringo.