AMG Review of California EP

Ken Taylor
All Music Guide

Dressy Bessy's California EP is immediately attractive as it starts off with the positively charged pop-infected title track. Not the usual fare that you might expect to hear from Denver, Dressy Bessy have their hearts in the '60s and their heads in the clouds. The lyrics concentrate on nonsensical fun and sun, but they do it with a sense of detachment, acknowledging Dressy Bessy's desire for warmer winds and brighter skies. Produced by Dressy Bessy's John Hill (also a member of vintage enthusiasts Apples in Stereo) California's sound is simple, but there is certainly a presence of studio experimentation, no doubt influenced by the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and his penchant for mixing-board magic. And, like those garage records of old, fuzz is the most commonly used color on the palette, creating a crunchiness against the otherwise jangly guitars. The most beautiful part of California is perhaps Tammy Ealom's happy and colorful vocals that hark back to the Brill Building girl groups of the '60s. A very nice record for a summer day beach excursion, or at least when you're dreaming of one.