The Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic

Hello readers, please excuse my inconsistent posting as of late for I have come across more pressing matters of importance. Regardless, I'll continue to bring you my musical point of view although rather inconsistently from this point on (I'm even working on a multi-part feature I plan to unveil at some point over the next few weeks!). Alright, back to the grind with today's top notch pick, "Guitar Romantic" the first and only LP released by Portland pop rockers The Exploding Hearts.

Back around the turn of the century when the punk scene was going absolutely nuts over thrash revival these four lads came out of nowhere playing some of the most rocking, catchy, power pop numbers you could ever imagine. Heavily influenced by artists such as Nick Lowe and The Jam; The Exploding Hearts released two well received singles and soon followed up with this much acclaimed LP on Dirtnap Records. Ultimately destined for greater things the band had a string of shows lined up as well as a full US tour in the works. However, none of this was meant to be...

En-route home from a series of successful shows in San Francisco the Heart's van flipped less than two hours shy of their final destination. Vocalist/guitarist Adam Cox, and drummer Jeremy Gage were pronounced dead at the scene while bassist and driver Matthew Fitzgerald would pass away later at the hospital. Guitarist Terry Six as well as their companion/band manager survived. The band would cease to exist from this day forward.

The tragedy would prove to have a profound effect on the national punk network causing many to organize benefit shows and fundraisers in the bands honor. Their infamy has continued to rise as more fans discover "G.R." as well as the 2006 release "Shattered"; a collection of singles and b-sides . "Guitar Romantic" is often considered a modern punk classic from a band destined for greatness had they not been cut down in their prime. Every song on this LP is just that, a classic and deserves to be treated as such. "Just won't cry cause my life's going by, I'll find someone before the day I die"

- Daniel Marc Cafferty

Personal album highlights:
Modern Kicks
Thorns in Roses
Sleeping Aides and Razorblades
Still Crazy

Guitar Romantic - if you enjoy the album please support the band and your favorite independent record store by purchasing a copy

The Exploding Hearts second to last show in San Francisco