Boom! Dynamite＜Orange Vinyl＞

In a time of global strife, the Courettes are an inspiration -- a woman from Brazil and a man from Denmark not only find a love that transcends geographical borders, but they form a top-notch garage rock band to boot. Vocalist and guitarist Flavia Couri and drummer Martin Couri know how to generate an impressive amount of noise for just two people, and while the raw, blues-infused sound thats the standard for garage revivalists (especially in the guitar-and-drums format) is a big part of their formula, they also have a taste for vintage pop melodies, girl group romance, and Phil Spector-influenced productions that prove two players can equal a Wall of Sound. The Courettes were touring the United States for the first time in 2023, and to get American listeners excited about the event, their label, Damaged Goods, compiled Boom! Dynamite, a 14-song sampler that features selections from their first three albums -- 2015s Here Are the Courettes, 2018s We Are the Courettes, and 2021s Back in Mono -- as well as some hard-to-find singles sides and rare tracks. Flavias vocals, which can bite like a banshee or soar like Ronnie Spector depending on the needs of the song, are great and pleasingly versatile, and her buzzy guitar work adds just enough finesse to make the raunch all the more effective. Martins drumming and harmonies are spot-on, splashy while never going overboard, and their production smarts -- much of their material was recorded in their own studio stocked with vintage gear -- is impressive, making the most of their streamlined lineup and adding the occasional guest when they need it. "Ive Been Walking" and the title cut wail hard, "The Boy I Love" and "Want You! (Like a Cigarette)" are retro-pop with attitude, "R.I.N.G.O." is a cool love letter to a particular drummer, and "Voodoo Doll" is easily the greatest Sonics tribute to feature a vocal cameo from Brazilian horror icon Jose Mojica Marins (aka Coffin Joe). Serious Courettes fans probably own most of this music, but if you like your contemporary garage rock strong and flavorful and you havent checked out this band, Boom! Dynamite is an excellent starting point. ~ Mark Deming