Boston-based garage rockers, Winkler are back with a variety pack of retro-tinged psych pop treats on their new album Bazooka Baby. The album is like picking up a frequency to a radio station that exists somewhere between the present and the past, between reality and fiction that plays surprised-fill songs that together form a warm and condensed ball of bright, pleasant sounds. Back in September the band released lead single, and album title track/album opener “Bazooka Baby”, an oozing sugary sweet anthem of swooning vocals, guitars, and chiming organ all wrapped in a warm, crackly lo-fi blanket.
Winkler prove they’re no one-trick pony with “Spider-Man Kiss”. Comprised of a jazzy instrumental of twinkly keys, cyclical guitar chords and a kooky spoken word monologue, this song details a flirtatious evening hangout, hinting at a reenactment of Toby Maguire’s MTV award-winning upside-down makeout move. The playful vibes continue with the eclectic percussion tape loops, and woozy slide guitar of “I Might be Hexed”. A flamenco-style guitar solo accents this playful ponderance of who could be casting spells on the song’s protagonist.
At the album’s halfway point it shifts into folk rock territory with The Band-like soaring harmonies, ballroom piano, and relaxed feel of “Danger”. This track also features some more terrific slide guitar work. Staying in acoustic guitar territory with tender and lilting “Spin you ‘round”, the track’s wavering vocals detail the morning after some tumultuousness, maybe good, maybe bad. It leaves the listener to reflect in the grogginess of the early morning.
The album ends with a pair of synth-heavy tracks. The first is a somewhat dark and dancy number called “Cicada Summr” which alternates between starry keys and energetic indie guitar riffs while consistently maintaining a bouncy beat. An instrumental breakdown with a synth solo feels perfect for a house party dance-fest The pulsating mid-tempoed synths and falsetto harmonies of “get it” wrap a bow around this pleasant sonic gift. The track spins and waltzes off into the ether as we fade into the album’s sunset.
Bazooka Baby is available now on all streaming services.
Written by John Brouk

