The Goods know their way around a good guitar melody. On “Goodbye Summertime”, the Oakland, California band brings together jangly guitars, big harmonies, psychedelic colors, and plenty of classic pop charm. It is a record that can sound bright one moment and a little wistful the next, which gives the songs a lot of character. Written and produced largely by Rob Good in his Oakland studio, the album has the kind of handmade quality that suits these songs. Ideas were recorded, changed and built up as they came along, and you can hear that freedom in the finished record. The Goods are clearly having fun with their influences, moving between power pop, indie pop, sunshine pop, folk rock and psychedelia while keeping the songwriting at the center.
“Summer’s Almost Gone” is a natural place to start. The song has ringing guitars and strong vocal harmonies, with a feeling that summer is slipping away and there is only so much time left to enjoy it. It is upbeat, but there is a little sadness underneath, which makes the song more relatable. “Minor Key” takes things in a more reflective direction. It has a quieter sense of loss, while “Wing” brings the excitement and uncertainty of falling for someone new. “Driving” looks back at those years when having an empty tank and nowhere particular to go could still feel like an adventure. Then there is “Sleepytime”, which brings the record to a gentle close with layered harmonies and a gradual rise in intensity.
I really like how easily these songs can get stuck in your head without feeling disposable. There is also a warmth here that makes the record feel personal rather than overly polished. Cherron Arens, Yea-Ming Chen and Ian McBrayer contribute throughout the album, adding extra texture around Good’s songwriting. Mellotron, Wurlitzer, chiming guitars and stacked vocals give the arrangements plenty to discover, while Bart Thurber’s mixing and mastering bring everything together nicely. “Goodbye Summertime” is a record for those moments when you are thinking about where you have been and where you are heading next. It remembers the past, but it does not stay there. The Goods turn those memories into catchy, colorful guitar pop that feels right at home on a late summer afternoon.
If you enjoy power pop, jangly guitars, and classic pop songwriting, make sure to follow The Goods and spend some time with “Goodbye Summertime”. Add “Summer’s Almost Gone”, “Minor Key” and “Wing” to your playlists, then give the full album a listen when you have some time. These are songs that deserve more than a quick play before moving on. Keep The Goods in your rotation and see where this new chapter takes you.
