Taking on the name of one of America’s favorite theatrical families is a challenge in and of itself. Bearing the name proudly while playing some infectious, indie pop tunes is a whole different animal. Luckily for Sydney based five piece, The Griswolds, they’ve done done just that, offering up an entirely different reason to grin ear to ear when someone says “The Griswolds.”
With uplifting, uptempo guitar-centric tunes, this Aussie outfit has us rocking flip flops, tank tops and Ray Bans, despite the fact that it’s still not warm enough to sport any of that gear. Regardless of which, these cats have a sound that calls on associations of classic acts like The Violent Femmes and new school island rockers like St. Lucia. The choruses are just catchy enough to sing along with, but not overwhelming to the point that you grow tired of them. The guitar work is intricate, yet easy to interpret. The drum work is enticing, creating the urgent need to get up and dance.
As a whole, Heart of a Lion is a four track collection of pop goodness that will gleefully crawl under your skin with ease, making you yearn for sandy beaches, fruity drinks, and a beautiful girl or guy to share it with.
