As we enter the beginning of summer, a different type of song bears down upon us: The songs of the summer, blockbuster singles. These songs are normally a little extra pop, sounding a little peppier and full of optimism. They are upbeat songs about love, or happiness, or maybe a little bit of rebellion.
On June 19th, two bands that I really enjoy released singles, and both of them would definitely meet the “songs of summer” category. And in a fun little twist, these two are diametrically opposed to one another, so I thought I’d cover both songs in one review.
The Boy Detective is a Michigan ska band on Punkerton Records. They’re often considered more punk than ska, but with lots of horns. The band was formed as just a fun hobby for guys in their 30s to write about getting older and their roles as fathers and husbands. They weren’t trying to be a serious band, but the sound resonated, more members joined the band, and allegedly, they put on one of the best live shows, the kind that everyone has to experience at least once. By the time you read this review, I will be able to say I have seen them live, since I have tickets to see them on June 26th (and I’m very excited.)
Bobby Edge — on the other hand — is not in a ska band at all. He has his own punk/R&B/doo-wop/surf rock sound that puts him almost in a genre of one, drawing heavily from the music of the ’50s through the ’70s and adding his own modern punk flair.
To begin the summer, Bobby Edge decided to release a cover of the Beach Boys summer classic “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, and The Boy Detective decided to release an original song of the summer, the anti-summer rebuttal “The Beach Boys Were Full of It”.
Bobby Edge launches into “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (with a fucking kazoo intro!) before continuing to give the song an incredible harmonic vocal performance. Throughout the song, he gives the original all the justice it deserves, and, according to some, far more. The song is beautiful and melodic. He gave the songs the modern makeover it deserved, and it sounds excellent, but the first 3-4 seconds — with the kazoo introducing the rhythm — makes me smile and laugh every time.
Meanwhile, The Boy Detective begins “The Beach Boys Were Full Of It” with the cheerful, upbeat excitement of a family trip to the beach before the melody and lyrics slowly begin to change to all the things one might hate about a family trip to the beach, from needles buried in the sand to questionable and obvious but barely obscured sexual behaviors of couples in plain view of everyone. Despite the optimism and joy of the idea of spending a summer on the beach, it’s definitely not for everyone. The way the band shifts the tone of the song as the protagonist shifts his attitude is clever and fun.
These two songs together beg the question: Are you team Beach Boys, or were they definitely full of it?
I don’t know if these two bands even know of each other’s existence, but I really wish these songs, released on the same day, were part of a split EP. You can take a listen to both “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “The Beach Boys Were Full Of It” below.
Written by Gimp Leg
