Aussie four-piece Food Court deliver a delicious slice of fuzzy garage punk with the release of their debut album ‘Good Luck’. Released on Dine Alone Records. Home of Jimmy Eat World, Alexisonfire, The Dirty Nil and more, its great acclaim to be the first Australian band to join the label. With such a prestigious accolade, there’s likely to be an air of apprehension, an expectation for the band to take their time to deliver something great. And yet, ‘Good Luck’ was recorded in a week, played and recorded live. Quite the feat.
Opening with ‘Not My Way’, ‘Good Luck’ roars to life with reckless abandon. Cristian Campano’s vocals instil a dreamy drone, underpinned by the subtle bass line and rolling drumbeats, courtesy of Lewis McKeown and Nic Puertolas respectively. Both guitarist, Dan De Santis and aforementioned Campano manage to manifest a sound that’s both discordant and gratifying, melding jangle pop and with a grottier, thrashing sound.
One of the slower tracks on ‘Good Luck’ and the first single, ‘I’ve Been Wrong’ takes a step back from the raw, frenetic action to create a feel-good, jangly hit that’s laced with sombre meaning. An ode to accepting mistakes made and embracing them, it personifies the record as a whole with Campano stating “Good Luck is all about making the right choice even after you’ve made a few wrong choices.”
As the album draws to a close, it does slow down slightly, focussing itself into tightly written, tightly performed tracks. Both ‘Wrecked’ and ‘Left & Right’ relax the pace and allow for a slightly more chilled affair while still keeping the soothing basslines and melodies. It’s a welcome reprise.
‘Good Luck’ is an auditory scrap book, powered by lost loves, lost sleep, anxiety and optimism. Melody heavy with a distinctive fuzz, Food Court have the effortlessness of Pixies and the irreverence of Wavves, creating a sound that’s quintessentially surf punk whilst adding a thick layer of raw garage bravado. More quality than quantity, you can rip through the record in its entirety in less than half an hour. That’s not a bad thing though, as it’s an album that’ll suck you in for multiple listening – especially now summers on the way.
ANDY JOICE