I love it when a band grows up. I’m not necessarily talking about thematic maturation, though that probably should happen, too. Instead, I’m mostly referring to groups that actively seek to expand their influences. Such artists want to challenge themselves musically without losing their original passion, much less their fans. Because they are growing themselves as fans of music, they write music that showcases their evolving interests. Since most bands can’t pull off this transformation effectively, the ones that do become even more special.
And whoo boy, did Camp Trash make the leap.
I’ve written about this talented quartet twice before on this site. My reviews gushed over the keen grasp these Floridians have on the sort of hooky, poppy emo I loved in my 20s. But since time comes for us all, it’s important to know when to take new steps in one’s art. With Two Hundred Thousand Dollars, slacker vibes have been replaced by the best power-pop energy on the planet. Released on Count Your Lucky Stars, this ten-song album has a runtime of barely 25 minutes, with only one song over four minutes in length and eight of the other nine being under 3 minutes long.
The positive musical chemistry is off the charts. That’s what happens when you combine four friends, two of whom are brothers, who collaborate as an organic whole and want to make the best music they possibly can. You simply can’t teach these connections. The drums are crisp, the guitars are crunchy, and the grooves are clean. By embracing the joy of making music and encouraging each other’s dreams, you get big vocals, bigger feelings, and the biggest hooks.
The band transports us to the ‘90s in style.
It’s a heady brew of The Replacements, The Refreshments, Fountains of Wayne, and college rock. We’re talking gloriously vintage vibes with modern sensibilities. Standout songs like “Signal Them In,” “Bigger Better Drug,” and “Heaven Or Wisconsin” provide grown-up songwriting with strong musical ideas and stronger execution. Sure, the band might extol the virtues of Guided By Voices, but they opt for sharp arrangements instead of what could have been overwhelming sonic excitement.
Two Hundred Thousand Hours overflows with the sort of rollicking passion that avoids artifice. Camp Trash have developed defined melodies that revel in snap and heart without feeling forced. Moreover, they know that every song doesn’t have to be fast or up-tempo to be catchy and memorable. By recognizing the importance of shifts in dynamics, timbre, and volume, the band has rejected the magnetic pull of playing the hits and embraced mature talents and artistic growth.