Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Horse Power EP

(Quite Scientific)

Record Review by Amber Henson

I guess it’s time that I acknowledge my seemingly different taste in music from how it was just a few years ago.  Back then, I had a very strongly opinionated boyfriend - at least musically opinionated (he was the one who encouraged me to apply for The Red Alert, so he was good for that, at least).  He was an Anglophile, so if England made it, he listened to it.  But now, almost three years out of the relationship, it seems I’m not really into rock, alternative, or even all forms of indie. It seems I like indie with a bit of techno in there.  If you don’t have a synth player, don’t talk to me.

The exception is people with voices that completely bowl me over; it doesn’t matter what the music is then.  Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. is a happy combo of both.  Their four track EP, Horse Power, is sweet, high vocal fun.  Full of synths, with a sometimes Simon and Garfunkel sound, the EP makes me salivate for more. 

The band seems tailor-made for me: happy, bright cover; clever band name (I'm not sure why it's clever, but it strikes me as such - and that's all that matters); a Beach Boys cover. "God Only Knows” is their last track, and it’s less of a Wall of Sound than Pet Sounds; it’s a little more acoustic, but a lovely and interesting interpretation.  The three other tracks are quite original, with drum machines and live, quirky instruments like washboards.

Seriously, you guys, it’s only four songs, and they’re great.  I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t give Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. a chance.