Sometimes you can get an idea of a band’s sound just from their name. Pittsburgh’s Limousine Beach is a great example, as a limousine and a beach can both lead to fun, partying, and high energy times that have plenty of bright spots. And that’s exactly what they bring to the table on their self-titled debut, high energy and melodic rock ‘n roll that pulls from 60s singles, 70s hard rock, blues rock, and everything in between. It’s the type of sound that’s instantly familiar and infectious when done right, and one of the biggest differences that Limousine Beach offers from classic bands is that they have not two guitars but three! This is the type of album where you’ll likely know from the first few notes whether it’s to your taste or not, and if it is expect it to be blaring from your speakers for some time to come.
It’s pretty easy to grab my attention with dual guitar leads that call back to classic albums from bands like Thin Lizzy and Wishbone Ash, and while Limousine Beach has plenty of that on display it’s the other elements of their sound that help to keep things feeling fresh and fun. As mentioned earlier, rather than going for two guitars they instead use three which makes the harmonized parts sound huge and only amp up the energy that much more. The scorching guitar leads and rougher edges often give way to infectious melodies that sound like they’re more in Kiss’ wheelhouse, and tracks like “Movin On” remind me more of earlier Molly Hatchet with a little bit of blues rock mixed in. Despite how instantly familiar all of that will sound to many of you, the back and forth between the rougher edges and brighter melodies that recall the softer side of early rock ‘n roll help Limousine Beach to stand out compared to some of the others out there that fall too close to the template laid out by one band. At thirty-one minutes the material is short and to the point, not getting bogged down in too much repetition or stretched out ideas, and while a few songs don’t quite hit the same high bar as others this is still an enjoyable album from beginning to end. The production also mirrors albums from the 60s and 70s, putting the drums so forward in the mix that you can hear each cymbal hit in between the soaring guitar work. That piece reminds me a bit of Blue Cheer and Cream even if the music always doesn’t, and while not every person will be a fan of that approach I thought it fit what Limousine Beach was going for throughout this release.
Singer Dave Wheeler has been with other Pittsburgh bands like Carousel and Outsideinside, though the former is the only one I’m somewhat familiar with. Wheeler’s voice here comes booming through your speakers with energy right from the very start, and the harmonized opening of “Stealin’ Wine” immediately transports you back several decades. I like how the singing seems to shift depending on the song, as some of them have a slightly rougher edge that brings in the hard rock side of things while other sections are pure Kiss with their huge melodic choruses that find the other members of the band chiming in. Most of the lyrics reflect this fun and tongue in cheek approach, with song titles like “Black Market Bus Pass” and “Evan Got a Job” giving you an idea of what to expect. Yet even with some humor and lighthearted ideas, Limousine Beach avoids some of that 70s and 80s cheese that defined what would become glam rock, which may add to the appeal for certain listeners.
I’m always ready for some fun and catchy rock ‘n roll, and Limousine Beach is able to provide just that. A few songs fly by without really sticking with me but considering this is the band’s debut and only their second release total they’re already starting off ahead of the curve. There is still some additional room for the group to develop further and really find a sound all their own, but I think they can get to that point. If mentions of Thin Lizzy or Kiss grabbed your attention, definitely check this one out and prepare yourself for some good rocking! Limousine Beach is available from Tee Pee Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg
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