Review: Hard Girls-Hello EP

Dear Hard Girls,

Hey guys, Timmy here I just wanted to let you know that you should have put this EP out at the beginning of the summer.

Love, me.

That pretty much sums up how I feel about the latest release from San Jose's Hard Girls. If you are unaware of Hard Girls they are a super group (sort of) featuring Max and Morgan of Pteradon and Mike from Shinobu. They also provide a backing band for Jesse Michaels' new project Classics of Love.

Each member is talented in their own right and have something to bring to the table with their instrument of choice. Max is one of the best current drummers out there, though he plays nothing overtly complicated he is dynamic in his own way. Morgan's bass lines are smooth and run perfectly with Mike's Pavement/Modest Mouse inspired guitar work. Unlike Shinobu, Mike lays off the distortion and feedback and lets the guitar ring beautifully.

As far as vocals go, both Morgan and Mike share them in most of the songs. Morgan has a desperate approach to his vocal delivery, like that breathe will be his last. You can tell he studies in the school of No Idea, where as Mike uses his typically soothing vocals that make Shinobu so enjoyable. This kind of vocal dynamic in punk rock seems rather cliche in a scene full of bands like the Lawrence Arms, Hot Water Music, and Alkaline Trio, but there's no doubt that Hard Girls are attempting to form their own niche.

That niche could be found in the lyrics. To put it simply, Hard Girls is Shinobu , but more fun? I don't know how else to say it, but instead of introspective tales of devils in the woods and Communist Russia, Hard Girls just wanna have fun. Nowhere can that be found then in the last track on the EP, "Beach Party", which reminds me of those late summer nights when you would go out to the beach with some friends just because there was nothing better to do. That is the overall feeling of this EP and this sudden fall weather is ruining the great vibe I get from this release, but that's O.K. there is always next summer.

All-in-all Hello is a great effort and makes me yearn for a full length in the near future. That seems rather unlikely when you consider all the other projects these guys have going on at once, but one can dream right? For now, I will enjoy this EP and the four songs on a split they put out last year. Together they make a full length, so that's good enough I guess. I can't wait to see these guys live at the Fest and to hear more!

P.S. You can check out the video for "Beach Party" below this post.

P.S.S. You can download this EP and other great releases at:
www.quoteunquoterecords.com