Dizzy Box Nine - Electric Illusion

 

Dizzy Box Nine - Electric Illusion 

BANDCAMP: https://dizzyboxnine.bandcamp.com/releases 

Electric Illusion is the new album by Dizzy Box Nine, an indie-pop band from Sothern California lead by guitarist-singer Randy Ludwig. It’s an appealing album with twelve well-written pop tracks influenced by a broad range of genres from Blink 182 and MXPX to the Cars, the Gin Blossoms, and Tom Petty. And, Dizzy Box Nine somehow hangs in there with all of them very well, and they even show off their own style in the process—the way it’s supposed to be. It’s been a while since I’ve heard a debut record from an independent pop-rock band this well put together. If it were slacking in any way I’d start by saying otherwise, but it’s-actually something to behold.

You can start wherever you want and be just as happy, but it kicks off with “Open Up To Me” and, it’s all fireworks from there. But there’s just one problem with that song—it’s good, but it’s just not as good as track #2—“Oh Yeah!”. The second time I listened to this record, it was hard for me not to want to skip track #1 and get right into track #2, which is my favorite song on the CD. I absolutely love this track! It’s melodic, it’s catchy, it’s intriguing, and it’s just pleasing to the ear. “If I was in your picture, would you think it’s fair? I’m falling into heaven, I thought that you were there”. You have no choice but to get that song stuck in your head. It’s just what you’d hope for from an indie-pop band from sunny Southern California.  It’s nice to see some life breathed back into pop-rock music again. 
 

“Good” is also another mention-worthy track.  This seems like a ripe hit for radio, or for your next playlist. The clarity of Randy’s vocals shines through, and, as with all their songs, they seem to remind us of all the good that’s still the world. This is refreshing. The guitars are strong in this song, and it is lyrically clever, which is something I have started to get used to from this band. 

If you want it a little lighter track, but just as strong, “When I look At You” will sooth your ears with the warm little arpeggios Randy pulls off on the guitar, which nearly everyone can appreciate. It’s just another cool factor about this album, the songs and band themselves. You don’t hear that guitar and dismiss it, you can’t help but get off on it. It’s the same no matter what song it is, but some of them go to different place lyrically, that’s all. For instance, “Fantasy” is nothing like any of the tracks before it, but it’s still just as good. This is something that follows suit on “Rosie” as well, which has really nice feel to it. I almost can’t put my finger on exactly why that song feels so good to listen to.  But, when that chorus begins, it just takes you places.   
 

Dizzy Box Nine aren’t just the mere sum of their influences, they come with their own brand of pop and that’s what they’re riding on. They don’t sound like a clone of any other band. Instead, Dizzy Box Nine is a rather a new entity, which somehow finds a way to pay homage to its 80s and 90s pop influences in they way they craft their own unique songs. Some other tracks worth mentioning are “Adeline” for its guitar work, “Tell” which it a bit of a tell all song. And the finale “Samantha”, which closes the record in style, is one of the best songs on the record. In fact, it’s strong enough to have been the opener to this album. 

If you like straightforward pop that seems to create a melodic and positive soundtrack to your life, give Dizzy Box Nine’s new album Electric Illusion a try. 

CD BABY: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/dizzyboxnine

John Birch