stratocruiser

"automatically pleasing, hard rocking power pop." - fufkin.com

"Killer! kickass-hard rocking-melodic-top notch-simply awesome stuff!" - Jay Anderson popbang.com

OK, wait a minute. Did I stumble across one of my old Cheap Trick records? You'd think so listening to Stratocruiser's debut, "Suburban Contemporary." This group of talented North Carolina musicians has put out an 11-tune recording that I swear sounds like Rick Nielsen on guitar and Robin Zander behind the mike.
It's one sweet-sounding disc that will satisfy pop enthusiasts longing for jangling guitars and strong melodies. If you miss that, "Suburban Contemporary" is your pick - Go Triad magazine

"... There is nothing trendy about the music at all, it is simply solid and well crafted pop. there's a sad pub out there that needs this band." - Giant Robot Magazine

Stratocruiser
Suburban Contemporary
Zip

The boys from North Carolina take a healthy leap forward on their second album, Suburban Contemporary, a disc filled with weighty garage pop that's equal parts Smithereens and Shazam. Lead vocalist Clay Howard sings with guts and passion, as well as a little bit of soul when the occasion calls for it, and the songwriting team of Howard and Mike Nicholson (of Sparklefest fame) click like Astaire and Rogers (well, a ballsier Astaire and Rogers, anyway) on several of these tracks. Standouts include the album opener "#28" with its Raideresque melody line, the soulful "Top Of The Morning," the raw raver "Copyshop Girl," and the light, jazzy "Stinson Beach." The album's closer, "J'aime Suis Mouvais," is one of the heaviest tunes you'll ever hear on a "pop" album.

The best song on Suburban Contemporary is "Blue Sparkle Daydream," which is well described by its title; dreamy, warm and pretty, with a chorus for the ages. The band is ably supported by some heavyweight friends, like Shazam main-man Hans Rotenberry, who lends some cool guitar licks to "Top Of The Morning," Jane Francis of Velvet, whose backgrounds on "J'aime Suis Mouvais" are kinda sexy, and the ubiquitous Robbie Rist, who assists with too many things to mention. The only downside of Suburban Contemporary is its rather muddy sound quality, but its songs are able to shine brightly nonetheless, and that's what's most important.
-DAVID BASH - Amplifier Magazine