The Routes - Instrumentals II CD (Otitis Media)

The Routes made a huge introductory splash this year with the release of Instrumentals II, garnering immediate acceptance, frequent airplay, and the undeniable buzz of an “it” band. The album features tremendously fluid guitar playing. Though guitarist Christopher Jack comes from garage punk, he’s definitely not locked into pentatonic scales and his playing brims with confidence. He goes for an overdriven Jazzmaster tone, sometimes over-overdriven, that allows him to keep a toe in the surf sound, and get heavier as needed. The songs, too, are entirely memorable and have variety in their styles and shapes. The songwriting on Instrumentals II reminds one of Eddie Angel and Los Straitjackets filtered through the various lenses of spaghetti western, Byrds, Stones, The Champs. If you love this disc, you'll also want to check out the SHAKE FIVE CD, which we released at the same time on Double Crown Records!

Tracks: Pistolero - Kapow - Sophisticated Sasquatch - Apocalypso - 20 Year Blink - Ain't It Black - Snail Love Story - Can't Be Helped - Hang Down - Hello I Shove You - Mantohihi Brother (bonus track) - Hammerhead (bonus track)