Oh Wells’ Alice is Super (Deluxe)

Super Deluxe was one of powerpop’s quintessential bands. Their debut record, Famous, was one of my favorite albums of the 90’s. Supremely well writtten powerpop with a nod to grunge, their songs were catchier and their choruses hookier than anything else coming out of Seattle. And 2004’s Lolita was the best EP of its year – or almost any. I still hear its stunningly great single, “Farrah Fawcett” in my head from time to time.

So when I stumbled on Braden Blake and the Oh Wells’ Christmas EP toward the end of 2021, I was thrilled. There hadn’t been a Braden Blake sighting since Lolita. AND IT WAS BRILLIANT.

At that time, Ira Merrill (a member of the Oh Wells as well as Super Deluxe) mentioned that there would be more on the way. Early this year, he and fellow singer-songwriter Brian Kerrigan (The Oh Wells) made good on that promise with the release of an outstanding EP. Smart and catchy as all get-go, Dakota reminds me of so much of what made Super Deluxe special despite in the first place.

Acoustic, Alt-Country Ear Candy

This summer, the guys give us Alice, an 11 song collection of equally irresistible acoustic pop nuggets. Their voices sound so good together as they weave through one three minute pop- alt country nugget after another.  “You Know the Way Home” sounds like the country side of Tom Petty. The darker “Devil’s Bride” is a nice juxtaposition.

“Black in Bloom” is a lovely, moving song and one of my favorites. And as with all of the songs on Alice, the harmonies are wonderful. “Oh Well” gets the award for most original lyric of 2022 so far. “Had a friend for lunch. He was good. And my cousin dyed. Dyed his hair.” Did I mention that it’s also a song that you’ll want to sing along to?

Get Your Copy of the Oh Wells’ Alice

The Oh Wells’ Alice is another one of those outstanding albums that make 2022 an extraordinary year for new music. You don’t want to miss this one. Get your copy at the Oh Wells’ Bandcamp page. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.