My My Gaffe Gaffe

As a practicing Rock Critic®, I get plenty of promo records sent my way. For better or worse, the vast majority of them get sold (shh, it'll be our little secret), given away or shoved in a closet without seeing the inside of a CD player. It's really a matter of time and, in some cases, lack of interest. But the downside is that you occasionally miss an enjoyable LP due to caring more about getting rid of it.

Which brings me to Sweden's Shout Out Louds. Prompted by the possibility of seeing them tomorrow night at the Double Door, I dragged up my promo copy of Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, the band's debut full-length, and loaded it into my iPod. Turns out it's a really good record. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting a Hives-like garage band, but the Shout Out Louds are more of a classic power pop combo: plenty of hooks, repetitive (in a good way) riffs and synth/keyboard flourishes. The lyrics lean toward the generic, lovlorn "don't leave me" variety, but this is a neat, catchy LP -- way more melodic and poppy than I figured -- that has a real shot at making my top 10, which, of course, is every band's dream.

I may not go see the show -- it's on a weeknight, and I'm old and lame -- but I'm glad to have finally heard these guys.