The Rad Trads embody a silver-lining, lane-changing, charismatic personality. Silver lining? While many of us are concerned about the impact of global warming on the earth, The Rad Trads present “99 in October,” a song that considers the extended life span of a warm-weather romance. Lane changing? We can identify the genre of the band, until their next song begins. Charismatic? We're willing to follow bands having such a joy for their craft that is apparent even in their digital recordings.
We thank Shane B. for alerting us to the skills of The Rad Trads, a Brooklyn-based band. The members are Alden Harris-McCoy (vocals, guitar), Michael Fatum (vocals, trumpet), Mike Harlen (vocals, bass), Patrick Sargent (vocals, saxophone, keyboard), and John Fatum (vocals, percussion). Impressively, all five contribute to the vocals. In the five song on the EP “99 in October,” the diversity of The Rad Trads surfaces in the vocals, the musical style, and the instrumentation.
As already noted, the lyrics of “99 in October” are directed to the possibility of prolonging a warm-weather relationship. Quoting the explanation:
“The title track is a humorous commentary on global warming in which the protagonist asks an honest question of their summer fling — as balmy temperatures continue into the fall, should we continue this summer romance as well? The bittersweet lyrics, rowdy chorus, and jubilant horns all create an intoxicating postmodern concoction, like Rivers Cuomo teaming up with the Louis Prima band for a one off single. The lead vocalist (Patrick Sargent) is also the songwriter and saxophonist soloing at the end of the track.”
The strengths of the second track of the EP, “Shouldn't Have to Ask Me Why,” are the jazz-tinged horns and Bluesy guitar featured during the bridge. For the music nerds – producer Chris Peck grabbed a guitar and ran the bluesy guitar riff through a Roland Space Echo, sending the sound into the echo chamber and back out again in real-time, as guitarist Alden Harris-McCoy played next to him.
“The Good Stuff” is a summer-ready single about escaping the humdrum of sitting at home and bringing the stuff that never lets you down. The song includes touches of Shoegaze guitar during verses and more jangly guitar during the occurrences of the chorus.
“Let’s Go Walking in the Moonlight” is an Americanized Bob Marley. The chorus features falsetto backing vocals and percussive piano. It is the more traditional love song of the EP.
The last track on “99 in October” is the EP's most energetic. The lyrics of “Spanish Radio” are often fast paced and the instruments are skillfully layered. Instrumental sections take fundamentally different approaches. At 1:50, the trumpet is melodically pleasing and orchestrated with the guitar and percussion. In comparison, the instrumental section at 3:12 is a horn-heavy wall of sound. It's another example of the diversity of the sound of The Rad Trads.
“99 in October” by The Rad Trads
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRadTrads/
Website: http://www.theradtrads.com/
Bandcamp: https://radtrads.bandcamp.com/
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