Review: Baby Shakes – Starry Eyes

Baby Shakes
Starry Eyes

Lil Chewy Records
Street: 08.01
Baby Shakes = Peach Kelli Pop + The Boys + The Undertones

If you make the dire mistake of passing this up for something safer, I’m afraid it’ll be obvious that your head needs to be examined. While many are quite familiar with the cute, jangly bubblegum tunes of Peach Kelli Pop, avid listeners should perhaps take a closer look at Baby Shakes. They are a rock n’ roll outfit from New York who, long ago, mastered bubble gum power pop with a punk sensibility. Think of them as the big sisters who paved the way for the contemporary version of this genre that many comfortably celebrate with other, more cutesy acts. This Baby Shakes album has been long overdue, and you know what? Starry Eyes really delivers the goods. Starry Eyes is highly energetic, infectiously poppy rock n’ roll fun with an essential punky attitude and has no filler. It’s a consistent “I’m still jumping and flailing about” listen. –Nick Kuzmack