Raised on Candy give us diversity and atmosphere thanks to their debut, self-titled album.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Isla Chadwick

A rock trio with roots in San Francisco and New York, USA, Raised on Candy features Joe Penna on vocals and guitar, Scotty Imp on drum and percussion, and Kevin Harris on bass and vocals. They’re new to this blog thanks to their debut, self-titled album.

It’s a bold statement from the trio, blending the different sub-genres of rock with ease. Things get started with the jangly indie of Nishuane Park. Loud-quiet is deployed with precision to provide the maximum emotional impact, with things building nicely to a big finish.

Lonely Bill brings with it a cantering tempo and some meaty riffs that take things in a hard rock direction before Midnight Creeper provides some suitable, sludgy darkness. Rococo rounds off the early listening with an explosive and atmospheric highlight.

The mid-album trio of Like A Bird, Maxing The Clink and Reunion give us smouldering ’90s rock, controlled chaos and expansive indie respectively. The Ponderosa is a rambunctious highlight that’s full of lyrics that will transport you.

The album is brought to a close by the riotous Big Game Hunter, the moody blues of Soft Metal, the pacy punk of Ora, and the low and lingering Whisper Me Your Wish.

With their debut album, Raised on Candy are showing what strong performers they are and their mastery of the disparate genres of rock. There are plenty of big riffs and atmosphere across the album’s twelve tracks. I’m excited to see where the guys take their sound.

Raised on Candy was recorded at Electrical Audio in Chicago with Steve Albini. It’s out now, available to buy as a digital album and on vinyl via Bandcamp. You can give it a listen below.