I first played this because two members of Rays were in the band. This doesn't sound a lot like that band, but it's pretty damn good. Oh Henry! is the new EP from Almond Joy. It's out on K Records-affiliated label, perennialdeath today.
The title cut is breezy and nearly bubblegum rock, but the lilting "100 Grand" is beautiful. Shades of Ivy and The Bangs here, but the tune's got a charm all it's own. "San Francisco" reminds of Letters to Cleo a very tiny bit, for lack of a better comparison, while EP closer "Candy" sounds like "Crimson & Clover" as re-written by The Apples in Stereo. The whole EP is the sort of thing that will appeal to fans of the bands I've mentioned above, but also fans of retro-rock too. I mean, there's even a part of the vibe here that makes me think of Redd Kross a tiny bit too. I dig this whole thing, man!
Oh Henry! is out today.
[Photo: Almond Joy]