Perhaps the lack of ego in Tuns shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, the band’s three members all hail from Halifax — and in Canada, we can’t have egos without repeatedly apologizing for them. Leaving egos out is just easier for Tuns; anything else would be un-patriotic. (If you’re not from Canada, you might think I’m joking. I assure you I’m not.)

Uniting Sloan’s Chris Murphy, The Inbreds’ Mike O’Neil, and Super Friendz’s Matt Murphy, the group largely writes power pop/indie rock that feels like a modern-day throwback to both the ’90s and The Beatles (“Look Who’s Back in Town Again” made me want to listen to Revolver).

But of course, it’s also much more than that. “Back Among Friends” opens the album by stating the obvious: these three guys have known each other for decades now, and it feels good to hang out and jam. Tuns is the definition of a feel-good record. Whether you’re familiar with the members’ other bands or not doesn’t matter — you’re going to have a good time.

Tuns is also the definition of a summer record: jangly indie with catchy choruses prevails. “Mind over Matter” and “Lonely Life” both have these fantastic, radio-ready choruses that carry all the sunshine and joy of long summer drives down the highway (and a clear ’90s influence). “Mind Your Manners” is the song that feels most reminiscent of some of Sloan’s work, with a verse that has all the propulsive energy that band is known for.

At the end of the day, Tuns feels like a bunch of friends having a good time. It feels like a record they always wanted to make — yet it sounds very different from the rest of their respective catalogues.

It’s clear that Tuns is a record that can only be made with the benefit of age and experience. This isn’t a record these men could have made when they first met, no matter how hard they tried. While their music is still as youthful and energetic as always, it leaves behind the issues of youth and strives for the earnest sincerity that comes with time.

Tuns is an excellent debut. It shirks ego in every way. It clears new creative ground for the gentlemen involved. But most importantly, it’s filled with great, catchy music. For lovers of pop-tinged rock, Tuns’ debut record is the perfect way to close out the summer.

The post Tuns: Tuns appeared first on Unsung Sundays.

White Paint is the band’s second album, and it’s ballsy. Stuffed with big, hummable choruses, and bold riffs, the album is the perfect progression from their debut. Polished, professional, but still energetic and raw, Hollerado can do no wrong here. Each song is catchy and seemingly fine-tuned for the live experience.

The big single from the record, Pick Me Up, is the last track, which is a great sign of quality all the way through. Almost every song is memorable, and some of them — like Don’t Think — cover so many musical ideas that they feel like two songs. Unlike some groups who attempt that kind of variety, the album never overextends its welcome. Even by the end of the album, Pure Emotion and Fresno Chunk (Digging With You) are still riff-happy indie tracks that are as catchy as all get out. So It Goes and Thanks for the Venom are both underrated tracks, and Lonesome George is a lovely halfway point. This album literally does nothing wrong and gets everything right. Highly recommended. (Also, the album art is super cool. Just saying.)

The post Hollerado: White Paint appeared first on Unsung Sundays.