The Dates - Ask Again Later
Ask Again Later is the title of the new album from The Dates, which according to the information available, is Garrett Goddard’s solo project.
Garrett Goddard | Photo: Aaron Sharpsteen
The Dates, aka Goddard, who plays drums, mostly, but has also played bass and guitar, when necessary, used to be with King Tuff, Girls, Personal and the Pizzas, and The Cuts. He also released a 7-inch single as Gary With A Circle Around The A.
Ask Again Later features Goddard’s smooth as cashmere voice singing power pop tunes about summer, restiveness, anxiety, Friday evenings by the beach, and love. This is easygoing, sugary pop music with hints of rock, just to give it some spice.
In other words, Ask Again Later is pure, unadulterated sway-pop, designed to give you ooey-gooey feelings of butterscotch-flavored delight, the kind of music journalist Steve Albini once wrote, “I cannot bring myself to use the term “power pop.” Catchy, mock-descriptive terms are for dilettantes and journalists. I guess you could say I think this music is for pussies and should be stopped.”
In other words, Ask Again Later is pure, unadulterated sway-pop, designed to give you ooey-gooey feelings of butterscotch-flavored delight.
The album comprises ten tracks, beginning with “any other nite,” which opens on sparkling guitars with beau coup jangle. The rhythm is catchy and smooth. Goddard’s dulcet tones glide across the music like silky filaments suffused with pastel colors.
Tracks not to be missed include “pictures with rene,” traveling on pop flavored with rock-lite nuances, especially when the grimacing guitar solo kicks in. Doo-wop harmonies infuse the tune with iridescent bubble gum pop-laced hues. “Nervous” opens on punk-lite guitars flowing into a crunching melody pushing what amounts to quasi-surf rock energy. Glazed vocal harmonies give the lyrics soft glowing timbres.
“Love’s made a fool of u” rolls on guitars reminiscent of The Bobby Fuller Four and “I Fought the Law.” Dirty guitars provide lots of resonance, while the vocals carry listeners back to pre-Vietnam War days. “California underneath the sea” floats with creamy, glossy tones, as Goddard’s voice takes on a sweetness that’s almost cloying, but is saved by the harmonics, which shimmer and sparkle like tinsel.
The best track on the album is “any other nite,” because of its buttery flow, like warm Velveeta. If you’re into super-sweet power pop, look no further than Ask Again Later.
