Exploding Hearts- Shattered LP. Just a few years after the tragic death of three of its members, this sorely missed band is eulogized with this collection of non-album material including the bands singles, demos, alternate takes of songs taken from the ‘Guitar Romantic’ sessions along with 3 unreleased tracks. Sometimes it's difficult to tell when you're hearing one of your favorite albums for the first time. While there's something to be said for knock-you-on-your-ass sonics and bewildering originality, the albums that resonate the most are often the ones that find a way to work themselves seamlessly into the routines and rituals of daily life. In the years since the release of the Exploding Hearts' Guitar Romantic’, there have been very few bands that I haven't felt tremendously grateful that I can have my morning coffee ritual with. And for the Exploding Hearts, that’s playing the opening chords of "Modern Kicks" in my head to jump start the day. In terms of influences and aesthetics, there’s no shortage of bands that have touched on the work of Nick Lowe, the Buzzcocks, and the Undertones. But the Hearts found a way not just to interpret and relate the music they love, but also to express that love in their own creative way through their music that doesn’t really sound like anybody else. Another bang up job from one of the best and most influential bands to effectively mix Punk and Power Pop so effortlessly.
