SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BEE BEE SEA – SONIC BOOMERANG

Bee Bee Sea
Sonic Boomerang
Dirty Water Records/Wild Honey Records

Blasting out of the industrial town of Castel Goffredo, Italy, comes Bee Bee Sea – an exuberant surge of happy surf garage rock. Having published a self-titled album on their own label in 2015 and an EP in 2016, they release their second full-length album Sonic Boomerang this year through Dirty Water Records.

It’s easy to see why their songs have been used in commercials for cars, sneakers and skateboards. This is the sound of summer joy. Sonic Boomerang evokes bikini-clad gals dancing on a beach and dudes rockin’ out the air guitar. It’s not quite retro; it’s pure. They sound like the feeling of an energy drink kicking in, knowing you’re in for an exciting night. Think less aggressive Zoobombs, happier Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Lips twang and Cramps psychobilly, with a dash of Jet. A comparison that may sound like a mish-mash, but Bee Bee Sea are pure, awesome talent distilled from every garage rock band you’ve ever loved.

The album rockets out of the starting gate with “Sonic Boomerang”, a powerful clang of classic punk rock. Try to picture the Ramones on surfboards. Even more beachy swing takes over in “D.I. Why Why Why”, and it’s genuinely impossible to stop yourself from bopping to this tune. The guitar twang is euphoric, with a bit of Beatles’ nostalgia to the vocals.

“This Dog is the King of Losers” is a weirdly powerful groove with extra tweaky guitar solos, and a perfectly snapped high hat propelling the sound. “Chum on the Drum” shows a lively diversity as the guitars switch from wall of thick grunge to bright twinkly melody. The psychedelic vibe is stronger but mellower in “Psycho Babe”, which is perfect to contrast the big energy of “No Fellas”. Again, the variation of thick and brilliant rockabilly guitar is showcased to perfection.

They saved the most retro song for last. The sweet twangy paradise of “I Shouted II” will send you off with a smile, looking forward to the next summer barbeque.

Sonic Boomerang belongs in the collection for all upbeat party people. Everything about this album is so perfectly placed and arranged that it sounds immediately familiar. With a sound like theirs, the band remains tight as hell while sounding completely free. Every element is perfect and loose, like a true psychedelic adventure for the masses.

Special note to Toronto folks – the album art will remind you of Al Runt’s paintings on the front of Lee’s Palace, with its twitchy bright wiggly animals.

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