Song Machine

by The Exbats

Overview

Having mastered their obsessions with garage punk and loud pop informed by rock & roll of the 1960s, the Exbats have expanded their horizons by boldly advancing into the 1970s. The shift isn't as dramatic as one might imagine, but on 2023's Song Machine, Arizona's favorite father-daughter indie band have added some more polish and detail to their arrangements (a process that began on 2021's Now Where Were We). Though "Himbo" and "You Got My Heart Hot" remind us they still love the sounds of the 1960s (and "Food Fight" is a sonic love letter to the Ramones), they're willing to acknowledge their soft spot for early-'70s pop-craft -- think Edison Lighthouse and the Partridge Family, not Big Star or Badfinger. Keyboards, vocal harmonies, and instrumental overdubs also play a greater role here than on previous Exbats releases, yet Song Machine still manages to hold on to a bit of the playful, nonprofessional sound that makes them so much fun. Inez McLain has grown as a vocalist, and her greater finesse meshes nicely with the passion that's always been upfront when she steps up to the microphone; her drumming is also strong and to the point, giving each track just the right amount of drive. Her guitarist and father, Kenny McLain, is quite good at evoking a broad range of vintage pop styles, and he helps make Song Machine the band's most tuneful release to date. Though they're not rocking quite as hard as they did early on, this album shows how good they've gotten at writing songs and bringing them to life in the studio. Even at their weakest, the Exbats generate plenty of fun each time they go into the studio, and Song Machine confirms that their firmer grasp of instrumental technique, studio savvy, and songwriting smarts hasn't changed that in the least. The Exbats are still clearly having a ball, and so will you if you give this a spin. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	10/13/2023
Label:	Goner Records
UPC:	0795154140787
Rank:	54158

Tracks

1. Riding With Paul
2. To All the Mothers That I'd Like to Forgive
3. Easy to Be Sorry
4. Himbo
5. Like It Like I Do
6. Singalong Tonight
7. What Can a Song Do
8. You Got My Heart Hot
9. Food Fight
10. Better at Love
11. Cry About Me
12. If I Knew
13. The Happy Castaway

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Exbats   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Matt Rendon   Group Member
Bobby Carlson   Group Member
Kenny McLain   Composer,Group Member
Inez McLain   Composer,Group Member
Daniella Dawson   Photography