Audio By Carbonatix
Before listening to the first downbeat, one could probably presume from name alone that The 1969s are deeply rooted in retro sounds. This is most definitely the case with their debut four-song Dirty EP, which they are currently offering for free download on their BandCamp site. The Dallas band describes their sound as “party blues,” which is just about right: There’s nothing too complex here, just some nice blues-lite guitar riffs and simple lyrics that would be in good company with cheap beer and whiskey.
Unfortunately, there’s not much else to write home about. The song “You Lookin’ So Good I Had to Buy a Suit” is the biggest highlight here with its bouncy ramble, and it’s the closest the band gets to any kind of swagger. It also finds the band at their most lyrically clever, filled with the exact kind of outlandish come-ons the song’s title would imply.
The extended guitar jams and harmonica solos found sporadically on the rest of the EP hint that there might be more to this band eventually. Until then, though, we’re left with a very small collection of songs from a band that has some talent and promise, but little to show for it.
For now, these tracks offer a harmless, somewhat fun listen, but not much more.
