The Explorer’s Club

Usually, I hold it as a rule of thumb that, if you sound identical to another band, I have to instantly discredit you. However, the Explorer’s Club is so blatant about sounding like the Beach Boys that I have to admire it a little bit. I mean, this is like a guy walking into a Wal-Mart, explaining to the manager that he’s going to take a few things, and walking out the door with a few DVDs and a 32″ LCD television. In some sick way, you have to admire that kind of courage.

If that’s the case, Freedom Wind is one of the boldest albums I’ve ever heard. In their debut album, the Explorer’s Club lifts the harmonies of the Beach Boys so purely that you’d almost think you’re listening to the brothers Wilson (and cousin Mike Love). The instrumentation is photocopied (although, I believe it would technically be phonocopied) perfectly-bouncing Wurlitzer, clean guitar, and lush strings. It basically sounds like the best Beach Boys album that isn’t Pet Sounds or the fabled-but-later-released-by-Brian-Wilson Smile. Granted, that’s like saying it’s the best Rocky movie that isn’t Rocky.

Regardless, Freedom Wind is a pretty fun listen. I’ve given them a hard time about their sound, but the Explorer’s Club are fair songwriters in their own right. They certainly have put their own spin on the sound of the endless summer, and it pays off with positive dividends. I mean, if you even remotely enjoy the post-Pet Sounds/pre-”Kokomo” sound of the Beach Boys, you’ll probably like this album.

Lyrically, Freedom Wind has a good mix of depth and whimsy. The songs successfully communicate both the simple fun of summer and girls and the complexity of life as a whole. Like their heroes, the Explorer’s Club also gets mixed up with a longhaired, bearded radical. However, rather than getting mixed up with a psychotic cult-leader (i.e., Charles Manson), the Explorer’s Club chooses a slightly less controversial (at least in this day and age) radical by the name of Jesus of Nazareth – dedicating the album to him (or Him if you’re picky) and singing a few songs about him (see previous parenthetical statement).

If I’m honest, and I like to consider myself an honest critic, I know that this album won’t have any real long-term value for me. I can only overlook wearing your influences on your sleeve this prominently for a short time. Eventually, I’m going to lose interest in this album and (probably) this band. It’s like when you have fun at a piano bar or seeing an ’80s cover band. It’s fun for the evening, but I’m certainly not going to bootleg it. The Explorer’s Club is fun for a while-while I can appreciate that they do a pretty good impersonation of the Beach Boys-but I don’t imagine myself recalling this album when I look back on my favorites of the year. These guys have talent: they’re good songwriters, hit incredible harmonies, and certainly put together some great instrumentation. They just have to rise above the gimmick a bit.

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