Remember listening to your AM radio in the 1960s and 1970s, when just the twist of a dial could land you on a great pop, rock or soul tune? Then you need to check out Wattage, the latest release from The Explorers Club. The band was founded in 2005 by singer-songwriter Jason Brewer, and features a rotating group of supremely talented musicians on each of their excellent records. The group has released terrific retro-styled pop albums such as 2012's Grand Hotel, and 2016's Together. If you're a fan of bands like The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Burt Bacharach, Paul Revere & The Raiders and The Turtles, the you'll really dig The Explorers Club. In 2020, the group issued a pair of outstanding albums, the self-titled The Explorers Club, which includes a dozen stunning baroque pop originals such as "Ruby" and "One Drop Of Rain," as well as To Sing and Be Born Again, a collection of covers of songs by bands like The Lovin' Spoonful and The Zombies.
Wattage is a marvelous record, featuring eight terrific cover versions of songs by The Rascals, The Four Tops and Little Anthony and The Imperials. The concept for the album is that you're listening to a broadcast on a vintage radio station, complete with song intros and commercials. It's a clever idea that will have you thinking about listening to your local radio station on your transistor radio in your backyard, or driving around with the windows down and blasting your car's radio back in the day. But the idea wouldn't work if there weren't some great tunes on the album, and there are some excellent songs on Wattage. Things kick off with the sunshine soul/pop tune "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy," featuring a fantastic performance by Las Vegas based singer Lannie Counts, who also provides vocals for covers of Brenton Wood's "Gimme Little Sign" and The Four Tops classic "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever."
The album also includes top-notch versions of Little Anthony and The Imperials "Hurt So Bad," performed by Jeff Celentano, a veteran performer who has been a member of The Beach Boys tribute band Good Vibrations, and a wonderful cover of the Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions hit "I'm So Proud," featuring vocals by Ryan Williams. Jason Brewer himself takes on lead vocal duties for "Tragedy" a song originally released by Thomas Wayne and The Delons. Brewer provides us with a touching, powerful performance. The wonderful production on the album by Brewer and the backing work by the usual assortment of talented musicians adds to the record's rich atmosphere and overall success.
Wattage, like the rest of The Explorers Club's catalog, is recommended listening if you're a fan of 1960s pop, rock and soul. Jason Brewer and company have provided us with another enjoyable album full of splendid music, deeply steeped in good vibes. The track list is a marvelous combination of classics and lesser known but equally amazing and memorable songs. Wattage is currently streaming online, and a CD and vinyl release is forthcoming. Here's a link to a very cool retro-styled promo video for the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWcMUsIWeLA, as well as a link for ordering info on the record: https://wattage.theexplorersclub.com.
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