Engine Summer, Trophy Kids (2017)
When I (recently) reviewed this album I wrote “Engine Summer is a three-piece out of Chicago and Trophy Kids is a ripper of a record” – and, at first, I wanted to leave it there. Because, you see, the band writes short, sharp blasts of power-pop; all angles. But I went on to write more, obviously. The album arrived on my doorstep one day after an email from the band, they’d found my site and were keen on a review. And offered to send the LP. A nice gesture. And it arrived. And I spent the summer with it – and then wrote what I wrote. Obviously sending a record gets you the bonus of a second mention via this series, The Vinyl Countdown. But it’s also just a nice gesture. It’s not absolutely required – reviews happen via CDs and download links and streaming too. But if you have a piece of product you’re proud of – if you’ve gone to the effort of making the record, of releasing an actual vinyl – then where possible you should still send that out to the reviewers. This record found me from the other side of the world. And I’m glad it dad.

Sample Track: Cab

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown

You can support Off The Tracks via PressPatron