‘Raised On Candy’ is a pretty impressive debut album for a nostalgic, 90s-flavoured rock band. There is, of course, nothing ground-breaking in it, but the listening experience is worth it just for the intense feeling of throwback. Guitars are sharp and fuzzy, drums are punchy and chaotic, and vocals are earthy and nuanced. Echoing traces of Nirvana and Soundgarden, the record was recorded by Steve Albini in March 2024 (just before he unfortunately passed away in May). No wonder ‘Raised On Candy’ sounds so familiar.
Self-titled, the album stems from the San Francisco Bay Area and New York Tri-State group Raised On Candy, including members Joe Penna (vocals/guitar), Scotty Imp (drums/percussion), and Kevin Harris (bass/vocals). Influences are pretty obvious and heavy, although we are told there’s a whiff of shoegaze in the mix – tracks such as ‘Soft Metal’ are on the post-rock side though. ‘Like a Bird’ is indeed more dreamy and evocative.
‘Maxing The Clink’ is another interesting specimen, truly rooted in wider indie stylings and grunge elements. Overall, it’s impressive how just three people can generate such an eclectic and vibrant record. Having just guitar, bass and drums is not a limit in this case, it’s a quality.
Recommended! Discover ‘Raised On Candy’ on Spotify:
