Review: Guantanamo Baywatch – ‘Desert Center’

Of all their combined strengths, igniting a crowd might be Guantanamo Baywatch’s most endearing; they’ve been honing that craft for years, playing cramped house shows and piggybacking tours in between albums. Showmanship aside, they’re also a well-studied punk trio who confidently flirt with 60’s pop sensibilities, surf-streaked, Northwest garage rock and pure mischievousness. Desert Center, (out now on all formats courtesy of Suicidal Squeeze Records) their newest record, is a magnetized collection of the previous mentioned, but with a dash of gunslinger twang sprinkled into their crowd pleasing anthems.

“Conquistador” is a fine, sunny jangle opener to shake your hips to; a true snapshot of a band playing at full strength. “Neglect” offers Motown soul in a one-car garage. The spelling out of ‘neglect’ wrapped with warm ‘ooh’s and aah’s’ delivers a lively array of color. “Mesa, AZ” has all the reckless abandonment you’d expect from a punk band, but with harmonious charms and precision of studio R&B band. “Area 69” channels a blistering torrent of cyclones amid thunderous drums and sharp guitars.

Desert Center is set aflame when all three members have their fingers on the trigger. Chris Scott’s impeccable drumming, bassist Chevelle Wiseman’s thick, bright notes, and Jason Powell’s Western, surf-tinged guitar lines, come together like Captain Planet’s rag tag, ring bearing Planeteers.

Whether storming through instrumental surf-rock, party toppers (“Witch Stomp” or “The Scavenger”) or splicing fret board wows with Powell’s rough pitched vocal deliveries, (“Blame Myself” or “Video”) Guantanamo Baywatch studio prowess points to the trio’s consistent years of playing together. Certainly watching Guantanamo Baywatch perform live is preferred, but Desert Center balances their live antics with brevity, versatility and a good time.

A sure winner to throw a party with, Guantanamo Baywatch continues to work in a favorably, spacious rock ’n’ roll medium that showcases their musical curiosities as well as their expertise. Desert Center is a meticulously recorded nine-song batch (plus two strangely comical interludes) that carries enough brouhaha to link their early homespun aesthetic and where they really excel: on stage.

(Listen to Desert Center below via Bandcamp and get more info about Guantanamo Baywatch on Facebook HERE.)

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!