What began as raucous noise in a Maine basement is poised to be the soundtrack to many a socially distanced soiree as Kurt Baker gets back to his roots on the rollicking new album After Party.
A twelve-song sonic boom of hooks and melodies dropping October 23 on Wicked Cool Records, After Party marks a return to primo Power Pop form under Kurt’s own name, backed by his bangin’ five-piece American band for the first time in five years. It hits on the heels of two acclaimed albums with Kurt Baker Combo, his four-piece group based in Madrid, Spain, where the native of Portland, Maine has resided for some years now.
The Combo’s 2018 album Let’s Go Wild! was “a high-spirited and thoroughly enjoyable Rock ’n’ Roll record” (Faster And Louder). It built on 2016’s In Orbit, which The Big Takeover called “a fast-paced, high-energy ride.” Both LPs saw heavy airplay on Little Steven’s Underground Garage and inspired endless touring in Europe and the U.S. A pair of standalone singles, “Can’t Go Back” and “(I Can’t Help) Failing In Love,” kept the momentum going through 2019.
In the intervening years, the careers of the American band members exploded to the point where this reunion now amounts to a Power Pop supergroup.
Today Glide is excited to premiere “Over You,” a clear standout on the new album. Firing off with a heavy riff and crashing drums, the song quickly pivots into a punk-meets-Elvis Costello rocking. The song definitely fits in the power pop mold, but also has a heavier guitar presence that gives it more energy and intensity. Baker also incorporates a subtle New Wave touch, bringing to mind some of the finest rock gems of the 1980s. With plenty of shredding and infectious harmonies, “Over You” showcases the massive musical talent and tightness within this band and gets you excited for when we will finally be able to see acts like them perform live one day.
Kurt Baker describes the inspiration and process behind the tune:
“(Producer) Wyatt (Funderburk) and I were working on this song in Portland during a huge snowstorm and I discovered this gigantic rodent in our basement. It was a snow beast! I had no idea what it was…turned out it was a pregnant squirrel! The squirrel was ok. We drank a lot of Twisted Tea while shoveling out the driveway, and a handful of years later this song was finally finished. It’s got a very ’80s vibe. Big chorus. Great alternating guitar and keys parts from Kris and Geoff during the solo.”
LISTEN:
Pre save link for “Over You” single: orcd.co/over-you
Pre save for “After Party” album: orcd.co/after-party
Photo credit: Natacha Bouznad Villena
