Snappy Little Numbers (2024)
What do you get when two of my favorite active bands and one of my favorite active record labels hatch a plot for world domination? In my opinion, you get possibly the best split 7" of the last five years. I have to go back to 2019's Chestnut Road/Navel split to find a release that has two bands I like this much on. Both bands are in top form as well. These aren't throwaway cuts or album rejects, these songs are all grade A rock.
The Drolls check in with two songs. "Burned Out" is another top shelf song in their still burgeoning pantheon of great songs. It's a mid tempo song that certainly has some similarities with the sort of thing that Denny was cranking out in Sicko's later days, with its bouncy chorus and excellent guitar riffage. The second song, "Happy Hour," is a bit different, which it would be as it's a cover of a Housemartins song (which I am unfamiliar with). It has a quicker pace, lots of lyrics and really nice backing vocals in the chorus. I'm sure all three Drolls are probably tired of the constant Sicko references, but it's hard to ignore one of my all time favorite bands and the fact that two of that band's members are in The Drolls. But The Drolls are more than standing on their own, away from the shadow of Sicko. Two more hits that only make me want to hear more. Give me LP 2!
Gentlemen Rogues are following up their stellar Surface Noise full length from earlier in the year. I'm sure the Rogues are equally sick of me talking about the band Jill when I write about them, but it's impossible for me to hear Danny's voice without calling back to seeing Jill play in a garage in New Jersey in the 90s. Once again, we've got two stellar songs, an original "Young 'Til We Die" and a Rolling Stones cover, "Connection." While Danny's voice certainly makes my think of Jill, the music is definitely different. I think I've mentioned before, but this is the grown up version of pop punk, with more similarities to Superdrag than to Zoinks. Tons of vocal harmonies on songs that I just want to listen to over and over.
As has been my way for the last several years, I have been lamenting the lack of records coming out this year that are exciting to me. If I could have a few dozen more that are as good as this split, I wouldn't have to do so much complaining. This one everybody should go grab as quickly as their fingers and internet connection will allow.
The Drolls / Gentlemen Rogues - Split:
https://snappylittlenumbers.bandcamp.com/album/split-sln-250
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