Extra Arms “Radar”

We’ve been a huge fan of all the stuff that Ryan Allen has done both solo and as part of a group. His work with Extra Arms has always been a particular favourite though, as it tends to be a bit more rocking with the emphasis on the power in power pop.

Our high expectations are met immediately with the opening track “Be Someone Else” which is an absolute corker of a pop rocker. It’s upbeat and brashy and just a perfect song to hear as the sun finally emerges here in the UK. This perfect pop rock is then just repeated again and again throughout the album. “Everything Disappears” includes the line ‘I’ve been doing this a long time and know how it should sound’ which pretty much sums up the bands ability to deliver power pop songs, as again demonstrated by “Inflatable Boys”.

One of our favourite songs on the album is “All Good Things Take Time” a track which perfectly shows why we love this band’s stuff. It begins in way that could be rocked up into a glam metal anthem but moves on with its Na Na Na chorus to be something that could feature on High School Musical. Let’s be clear here, both of those comparisons are huge compliments from us! It is a unique skill to be able to create such perfect pop songs that still have a rocking feel to them. It’s a knack that is repeated on tracks like “Mad Dog Blue” and “Your Highness”. If you’re a fan of any of the recent great power pop writers (eg Cheap Trick, Butch Walker, Fountains of Wayne) you are just going to love tracks like “I Don’t Wanna Surrender” and “Sit Back Up”.

Once again the Extra Arms have delivered an absolutely top-notch album that should act as the soundtrack to your summer. We’re not quite sure why Ryan Allen and/or the Extra Arms aren’t huge as they are so good at delivering this pop rock sound. There’s a host of songs on this album that if covered by a ‘mainstream’ artist or if featured on a summer soundtrack would surely become international hits (maybe James Gunn could use a modern track in one of his movies??). For now, go and buy this and enjoy!