Bubblegum Lemonade
Susan’s in the Sky EP
Matinee
Susan’s in the Sky continues the super-fuzz journey initiated by Bubblegum Lemonade on their excellent debut EP. The four songs on here feel borne from the same cockle of songwriter Laz McCluskey’s heart where he keeps his staunchest love of Britpop’s lo-fi past. Both the opener and “Surfin’ USB” are shot through with the best wryly-bent lyrics of Teenage Fanclub, while the propulsive, thoughtful musicianship brings to mind a tamed-down ode to ’70s power pop. “Just Like You” is a bit more punk/new wave and a bit more early Supergrass; it buzzsaws through three chords and adolescent angst. As with the first EP, a cover closes out the disc. This time it’s Big Star’s “Holocaust,” which carries a bit more emotional gravitas than “That Thing You Do!” and McCluskey does its defeated tone proud. There’s little in the way of artistic progression between Bubblegum Lemonade’s first two musical forays, but anyone who found joy with McCluskey’s songwriting the first time around is bound to do the same this time as well.
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