The Rickaneers are a four-piece outfit from Toronto that pays homage to a wide range of influences. From ‘60s garage to ‘70s glam to ‘90s grunge, the band distinctly has its own sound, and that can be heard on their sophomore EP, Ghost Town. Featuring four songs in a quarter-hour blast, the EP is a startling way into the Rickaneers’ blend. While you may have to listen to it a number of times to quietly warm up to it, not one of these tunes is an outright bomb and you may find yourself becoming enamoured with the material. These tracks certainly sneak up on you and wallop you when you least expect them to, so there’s strength to this garagey jangly rock.
The title track, which kicks things off, has all of the strut and swagger of a lost Nuggets nugget. “Don’t Understand” grinds and simmers with a low boil intensity, boasting a chugging guitar riff that definitely sticks. “Party People” is the EP’s most overt nod to ‘90s style indie rock with a touch of ‘70s glamminess. Finally, “Regime” is vaguely reminiscent of a turbo-charged piece of songwriting that might find its way into a Spaghetti Western as imagined by Quentin Tarantino. Overall, there’s heft to these songs, and they work rather well together. The EP serves as an apt appetizer of the Rickaneers’ sound, and one walks away from it wondering how these guys must be live. You get the impression that they must put on a heckuva show. So if old school music is your bag, run (and don’t walk) to their next concert. Or you can just buy this EP. Either way, you’re apt to be in for a good time.