“We both really like to record and be in the studio,” Tyler says. “We’ve spent a lot of time experimenting and honing and learning how to use everything. Our whole thing is ‘Let’s just make good-sounding records and songs.” Shane adds that, “I feel like we’re constantly chasing something new and something exciting, trying to find sounds and trying to expand what we’ve done so far and always trying to elevate it. I think that’s the goal and what we’re trying to follow.”
With Tyler and Shane writing on their own, and two tracks composed together, the set kicks off in garage rock, lava lamp shimmer of “Radio Man” and over the course of the album Hearty Har runs a gamut from the psychedelic blues of “One For the Other” to the gritty, Stax-flavored soul of “Calling You Out,” the Brit pop nods of “Don’t Go Looking For Me” and “Get Down,” touches of Middle Eastern in “Fare Thee Well” and a sprawling instrumental, “Canyon of the Banshee,” that lets the group “kind of flex our muscles,” according to Tyler.
Tyler and Shane acknowledge they’ve discarded more ideas than they’ve taken to completion over the years. The songs that meet those exacting standards share a timeless urgency; You can imagine hearing “Can’t Keep Waiting” or “Don’t Go Looking For Me” or “Get Down” or “Scream and Shout!” at Woodstock — or Lollapalooza. And there’s openness in many of the arrangements that would have many a remixer licking their chops over.
“I just hope people love it and appreciate it,” Shane says. “I feel like the music speaks for itself, and when people hear it they’ll understand.”
HEARTY HAR
RADIO ASTRO
(BMG)
1. Radio Man ‘56
2. Calling You Out
3. One For The Other
4. Scream and Shout!
5. Fare Thee Well
6. Canyon of the Banshee
7. Waves of Ecstasy
8. Can’t Keep Waiting
9. Don’t Go Looking For Me
10. Get Down
11. Boogie Man
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