Rating: 
Out of the ashes of Bare Wires comes Warm Soda, but this time around things are going to be glistening with pure pop. It’s not like this wasn’t lurking around the corner, but with Someone For You the band has created something that will inevitable find itself stuck in your head, and heart.
Let’s get the bad thing about this record out of the way, if you can even really find a fault here. Okay, it does sound a little bit the same through and through, but I’m not biting that that’s entirely awful. After all, when you find so many songs filled with hooks and anthemic choruses you’re going to be happy they didn’t try to diversify their sound too much, choosing to rock it the way they do best.
“Violent Blue” kicks off the album with one of the heavier tracks present on Someone For You, using a quick pace and steady drumming to propel the track. But, the chorus of “violent blue” hints at the more pop-centric leanings of the group, preparing you for a fun filled ride of hits. Basically, that starts as soon as you hit tune #2, “Someone For You.” While the cymbal work and drumming hint at a more garage filled sound, the soft quality of the vocals working against the chiming guitars definitely makes you feel good. I especially like the way vocals blow you away with the drawn out “you” at the 1:47 minute mark. It’s just a teaser though, making way for the crunchy goodness of “Jeanie Loves Pop.” If you need a standout track to pass along to your friends in mixtape format, then you have to include this song. There’s a rawness to the guitar playing, yet the chorus is as anthemic as you can get, begging you to shout it out at the top of your lungs.
I think one of the best attributes of Warm Soda is the ability for the drums/guitars to work against the brighter quality of the vocals. For the most part, the drums are pretty steady and pushed up in the mix, like in “Waiting For Your Call.” Here, the guitars and the cymbal work build this incredible tension that you expect the band to unleash, but the twist of the knife comes via the melodic chorus relief. Is the track heavy? Is it a pop tune? Neither, it’s just a rad tune. The same can be said for “Busy Lizzy” with its knife’s-edge guitar work and quick blasting drum work, all centered around a cool vocal that’s slightly coated. Just wait for the boys to bang out the ending with pure pop class.
Honestly, I know a lot of people that think the Exploding Hearts sound could never be done again. It came at the perfect time in indie rock, but now is the time for Warm Soda. They combine elements of garage rock and power-pop to perfection; there’s not a band out there doing things as well as these lads. Someone For You is filled with hit after hit, and you can’t ignore a single song for fear of missing greatness. The best thing you can do? Buy this LP right now!
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/06-Waiting-For-Your-Call.mp3]
Download: Warm Soda – Waiting For Your Call [MP3]
Matthew Melton of Bare Wires and Warm Soda fame, and currently of Austin, Tx, has made great power pop records, no matter what band he’s using. But, he’s got a pile of recordings that couldn’t quite fit into those acts, so he’s releasing another solo record with Southpaw Records. Our first listen to this work shows Melton displaying much of the same style he’s come to be known for, wrapping up his vocals in a guitar sound that walks the line between bedroom and garage rock. This new effort is titled Outside of Paradise, and you can only grab it from the label or from Matthew himself.
