"After my 6th or 7th listen to GOES THE DYNAMITE’s debut full-length, an eponymous collection of 10 tracks ranging from “distressing ear worm” to “a song that worms it’s way into your head and won’t leave” to “I can’t stop humming this melody, I don’t know if I’m okay,” it’s hard to know where reality begins and the album ends. I’ve written regularly of my constant surprise by what our local music scene is able to produce at any given time, and as my horizons have expanded beyond my usual listening habits, it’s clear that Cincinnati and NKY are in the midst of an honest to goodness renaissance. GOES THE DYNAMITE deserves to have their name mentioned in that discussion.
Veterans of multiple scenes, the trio - Josh Purnell, Aaron Scott, and Shawn Scott - has crafted an album that’s somehow ridiculous and ridiculously listenable. While no one track would or should be considered a joke, it’s clear that they don’t take themselves too seriously, even if all 10 tracks are seriously good. I lament their decision to hold off on playing any of their music in a live setting, perhaps it would make them too powerful, but if you’ve heard any of the singles they’ve released, you have a pretty decent idea of what their debut LP might sound like. If not, allow me the privilege of explaining…
Consider it a throwback album if you want. But it’s also incredibly modern in its approach to songwriting. Is it indie rock? Sure. Is it R&B? Probably. Does it feel like the soundtrack to an 80’s romcom (but like, a really cool, kinda dangerous one) that doesn’t exist? It sure does. Casio-tone drum loops, synths from the depths of the best 80’s new wave catalogs, minimal guitar work, funky ass basslines, soothing, subtle vocal work (that you’re going to want to sing along with, by the way). It’s a windows down, party by the pool, smoky dance club of an album, without any of the baggage of a band reuniting to try to recreate or recapture something they’d done before. The luxury of simply creating something from scratch with a million recognizable sonic touchstones is obvious, but the fun, the thoughtfulness, and the willingness to color just slightly outside the lines makes this an awfully special experience.
In just over 30 minutes, GOES THE DYNAMITE illustrates a pop sensibility many artists take multiple albums to achieve - and I don’t feel like that’s a hyperbolic statement, believe it or not. While the album isn’t necessarily groundbreaking - you’ve heard a lot of what they’re doing before - the pieces fit together in a way that shows skillful songwriting, production prowess, album sequencing acumen, and a genuine appreciation for the influences they’re drawing inspiration from. And that’s super exciting to a music nerd like me.
GOES THE DYNAMITE is celebrating the release of the album with a limited pressing of 100 180g black vinyl.
To recap: GOES THE DYNAMITE has a record with 10 certifiable bops and you want to listen to it. It’s a flickering neon sign at a nightclub on the beach, a slick pair of aviator sunglasses, the most refreshingly strong mojito you’ve ever tasted, but in music form. It’s fun, it’s kitsch, it’s a throwback that sounds like it’s from the future. Infinitely cool, endearingly silly. Give it a listen and thank me (and the band, I guess) later." - Jared Bowers, CincyMusic