Recklessly Responsible Rock & Roll

The SoCal beloved band Cherry Glazerr found roots in beach punk and lo-fi grunge scenes, creating a cult-like following and an awe of fascination around them. Their February 1st release of Stuffed & Ready comments on the candid adolescent experience with a riled up tone and a feverishly provoking attitude.

The tension between the intense instrumental backdrop and vocalist Clementine Creevy’s gentle voice is pivotal in intro track “Ohio.” Reminiscent of Cherry Glazerr’s garage rock sound, “Ohio” easily sets a high standard for the rest of the album.

Cherry Glazerr gave their fans a generous taste of the upcoming album with a November 2018 single release. “Daddi” is much more techno-pop than Cherry Glazerr’s past albums, almost Die Antwoord-esque one might say. The track sounds relatively out of place, but that’s the point. With a buoyant melody and frilly vocals, Creevy spits sarcasm at her listeners with “Who should I fuck daddi? Is it you?” as if she has no control over the answer. Creevy’s lyrics seem less stream-of-conscious and more a polished screw you to the world.

“That’s Not My Real Life” with a hopping rhythm and leaping vocals is an instant hit. The track is also musically dynamic with a few different parts and components. The track is initially mosh-rock, broken up by instrumental pieces of lo-fi grunge and a guitar solo featuring Delicate Steve.

The lyrical melody matches the rhythm in “Self Explained” while playing with the limits of lo-fi rock. Produced with delicate focus on the melody, the instrumental rock backdrop is relatively subdued. Creevy’s lyrical chorus “When I take you on, I try” is hinged on a reflective desire to break down her emotional wall. Pink Floyd, take notes.

In “Isolation” the instrumental accompaniment steps downward like a staircase descending into the depths of her consciousness, almost seductively luring you and inviting you to understand her dark demeanor. This track is one of the most original songs on the album.

“Pieces” flows with a different rhythm from the previous track “Juicy Socks” to distance the lo-fi grunge from the punk. The contrast between songs is enticing with distorted precision that works to Cherry Glazerr’s image as a band.

This review is not an exaggeration of their talent or their ability to captivate a cult-like following. Cherry Glazerr plays with music just like they play with your emotions. The band is dynamically talented in a way we often don’t see from this scene, with songs to gently cry to and songs meant for fight club anthems.