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There’s no doubt that when it comes to singing and harmonizing, the Khouri brothers are the real deal. But this album shows that they talented songwriters as well. If the cynical response to this year’s radio hits was, “Great, but can they do more than covers?”, the album answers that question in the affirmative. Of course the musical influences are obvious. But isn’t that the whole point? I’m hearing The Beatles meet The Everly Brothers on “She Calls Me Love.” “American Girl” brings to mind Big Star doing the Beach Boys (or is it the other way around?). “Love Bug” is early American rock ‘n’ roll by way of The Fab Four. The aforementioned “Indigo Skye” kind of sounds like Frankie Valli trying his hand psychedelic pop, and I am here for it! The ballad “The Best Night Of Our Lives” is back in Everlys territory, and I have no complaints. “The Only One” and the absolutely splendid “California” demonstrate that these lads can do the ’70s power pop thing at a level that rivals many of their musical heroes. If “She Can Do It All” is still the best track, that’s no knock. These guys took a great song and genuinely made it their own. 

Living as we do in a post Lemon Twigs world where classic guitar pop is cool again, I’m excited to find out how far a band like Banda AL9 can go. Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9 is an album in the tradition of the 1960s heyday of pop and rock ‘n’ roll. It cherry-picks much of Banda AL9’s best existing material to create an album that properly represents what this band is all about. This group is no overnight sensation. The brothers have been at it since 2017, steadily honing their craft and deepening their love for melody-driven pop-rock of many different eras. Certainly a lot of folks will enjoy this record because it reminds them of music from another time, but I can see younger audiences loving it as well. Banda AL9 infuses a timeless musical style with youthful excitement. Steven Van Zandt wasn’t going to sign a band just because he thought they could sell records. The Khouri brothers are legit. They’ve got that family band chemistry that always appeals to me, and their unapologetic love for pure pop music is something I relate to deeply. And the joy that they exude is genuine and infectious. Trends in music come and go, but melody, harmonies, and catchy choruses are eternal. World, meet Banda AL9!