Record review: The Bingers - 'Land Lobster EP'

By Gene Wagendorf III  

While the current garage rock revival has dozens of footholds across the country, few have been as prolific as Chicago. The Windy City's success as such can certainly be measured in quantity, but in the end quality is what matters. This summer local fuzz-poppers The Bingers offered up the Land Lobster EP, a more than worthy addition to the city's growing catalog.

The record gets off to a fast start on its eponymous track, a three and a half minute bubblegum jam that typifies the ability of strong pop songs to transcend time. The tune's jangling stride and whoo-ooing never look back, tumbling forward towards a beach rock solo with interstellar aspirations. Surfy washes segue right into the rollicking lead guitar on "Burnout," a slightly filthier tune that walks the line between Buddy Holly and basement punk. The vocal work here is an echo-y celebration- the cool croon of a joyride to Make-Out Point. The mixing on "Burnout" is especially tight; the singer's voice never climbs over the instrumentation, but isn't obscured by it either. Proof that not every sound need be recorded through an empty Folger's can to make a solid garage rock tune.