Dads’ latest EP, Pretty Good, is more than “pretty good.” The EP’s four songs follow each other logically, if not seamlessly, enough to deserve a solid tip of the hat. Despite the intensely varied and divergent influences, the EP’s themes of loss, growth, and acceptance bind together these adventurous tracks into a deeply rewarding whole. The builds and the lulls, rises and falls of “My Crass Patch” pound and ache with an intensity that bands frequently aim for and only rarely achieve, and the drive at times can seem overwhelming. The music is powerful, chaotic and then suddenly takes on a pop-y tone, as with “Boat Rich,” but the wrenching emotions are still there. The scope of the attempt presented in such a small package can seem overwhelming, but, after several plays, the meaning in the madness shines through. We are left with a record that is powerful, striking, and vividly human in its lyrics as well as instrumentation.
