Williams Ink - S/T (Independent)
From Denver, Colorado, Williams Ink is a four-piece band with a healthy respect for old school power pop, and a predilection for loud guitars. The resulting sound they make – and it’s a very fine sound indeed – continues in the tradition of Cheap Trick, Weezer and Foo Fighters, rather than the late ‘70s new wave power pop model, best exemplified by bands like the Rubinoos and Cars. So, what have we got so far: big guitars and monster hooks; there are truly worse things in life.

As for their songs, Todd Williams is their frontman and primary writer. He’s adept at nailing both imagery and couplets, and the arrangements are spot on. Opening cut “Last Year” would sit quite happily on a Grant Hart solo record, or one of the later Husker Du albums – it’s an early standout track, and it doesn’t lack company. “Shocked” is just as good, it’s rolling rhythm interrupted only by glam guitars and the sort of sing-a-long verses that Noddy Holder, Noel Gallagher and Dave Grohl would emphatically approve of. “Love You Kiss You” suggests the glam influence doesn’t confine itself to just occasional guitars and “Odds N’ Ends” indicates that when the slow things down and strum acoustic guitars, they’re no less compelling. A first-rate debut album.
www.williamsinkmusic.com

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