Fantastic Explanations (And Similar Situations)

Tennessee trio Cheap Time make their mix of power-pop, glam and punk sound as natural as a meeting of Cheez Whiz and pancakes (what, you’ve never tried it?). They cite influences like Sparks and Alex Chilton, yet they fit right in with label In The Red’s roster of messy, distorted punk outfits like the Dirtbombs and Thee Oh Sees (due especially to the stomp-fest that is “When Tomorrow Comes” and the defiant “I’d Rather Be Alone”). Cascading, psychedelic guitars on “Throwing It All Away” slow things down for a second wind, and the rousing chorus hook on “Down The Tube” is all youthful, fist-in-the air angst. Adding a little twang to the guitars on “Miss Apparent” and “June Child” is genius, giving added texture to the collection. Jeffrey Novak’s voice sounds like a youthful Robyn Hitchcock with the “Sneer” setting at 10, and their swaggering, gut-punching energy pays terrific homage to classics like the Saints, the Kinks, and every greased-up garage band since 1965. Fantastic Explanations is a little cleaner than past efforts, so don’t forget to play it loud for maximum impact.