Rock ’n’ Roll Ethos: Slightly Updated

The fourth album by the Chicago-based garage rock project hones in on the meandering, murky psychedelia of bandleader Brett Sova’s previous work. The album adds more focused soloing, not to mention infectious hooks, to their trademark drum-machine-and-guitar formula. Shampoo You marks Axis: Sova’s most significant evolution so far: the addition of Tim Kaiser and Jeremy Freeze to Brett Sova’s official lineup. The addition of the two new members undoubtedly impacted the album, which is described on the Drag City website as “the group mind in action.” Kaiser and Freeze’s presence (at least partly) explains Shampoo You’s most noticeable stylistic developments—namely, the additions of new wave, glam rock and the occasional infusion of shoegaze—which set the record apart from Sova’s three solo albums.

After the first few tracks, it becomes obvious that Shampoo You has the undeniable rock ’n’ roll energy that so many other bands have tried, and frequently failed, to capture. It has a directness that is sorely lacking in modern rock music. The record’s succinct thirty minutes track list is filled with riveting guitar work but is not plagued by the self-conscious, overt brand of experimentation that has become standard for many bands. The excessive emphasis placed on innovation by today’s music culture has left many musicians with a fear that their sound will be too “derivative,” resulting in a general abundance of albums whose originality feels forced. However, receiving the “derivative” label has never been a concern for Brett Sova. He openly borrows approaches from prominent rock musicians and even named his project after Jimi Hendrix’ famous Axis: Bold as Love LP. To clarify, Shampoo You escapes both pitfalls, neither submitting to the trend of pretentiously pursuing the avant-garde nor allowing its numerous influences to override the band’s unique voice.

Opening the record, with an attitude of amused introspection that persists throughout, “Terminal Holiday” and “New Disguise” serve well to introduce the updated version of the Axis: Sova sound. These songs present a more pop-oriented, glam trippiness that contrasts with the unrefined haze that Sova had been channeling when he recorded alone. “New Disguise” distinguishes itself with some of the album’s most compelling lyrics. Sova explores his use of facade as a defense mechanism with the lines “I just kicked delusion from my life / I need a new disguise.” Shampoo You kicks into the next gear with “Crystal Predictor,” whose punchy guitar lines and vocal delivery (strongly reminiscent of David Byrne) endow the song with a new wave sensibility.

The standout track, as well as the album’s first single, is “Dodger.” On this track, Brett Sova proves that he has not abandoned his traditional psychedelic rock influences. As the song builds around the central riff, it becomes obvious that Axis: Sova is taking a page out of Jefferson Airplane’s book. Though none of the subsequent songs top “Dodger,” the album successfully maintains its quality for the duration. On “Stale Green,” the band settles into a steady groove while Sova belts out a catchy vocal melody. Filled with interesting flourishes, including a wall of noise that begins about a minute into the song and steadily progresses, “Shock Recognition” (incidentally the most experimental song on the album) is comparable to a much friendlier version of an industrial song. The track also includes some styles borrowed from the shoegaze genre. Finally, “Same Person Twice” closes on a slightly melancholic note, with a low-tempo, jazzy guitar line played over a stable drum machine beat.

The bottom line is that Shampoo You overflows with pure, simple fun and has a mildly experimental flair. Although it is crafted mostly from tried-and-true recipes, there are some new ingredients added here and there which seem like an extension of Axis: Sova’s playful spirit, rather than a desperate bid for relevance.