A Swedish fast furniture company had a commercial that got a generation of kids yelling ‘start the car!’ whenever the family approached the vehicle. I don’t know that it helped to sell more of their particle board book shelves but it was briefly entertaining. And now we revive the slogan to celebrate two motor-themed bands with fab new platters.

On their most recent LP Never Sing Alone Toronto’s Motorists give off a strong rock vibe on opening cut “Cristobel” and tracks like “The Damage,” the latter cut with just the right dose of new wave. I get a lot of retro new wave from songs like “Anomaniacs” too. Then there are the efforts that really merge styles. “Scattered White Horses” uses dissonant rhythm guitar shots to throw us off the scent, slyly shifting to understated vocals that sound like Buddy Holly with a touch of ennui before breaking out the harmony vocals in the chorus. I can’t help but feel that the jangle cuts are the star of the show here. “Frogman” is the standout, sparkling hit single here. “Reprise” doles out more jangle, reminiscent of 1970s April Wine. Some material fits into no convenient genre box. Does “Stander” have a country gloss? It’s slight but effective. “Man in the Circular Window” and “Diogenes” are just jaunty fun. Singing along here isn’t mandatory but probably advisable.

With 17 contributions on their latest long-player Chattanooga, Tennessee’s Mythical Motors have definitely stepped on the creative gas pedal. Tremolo On The Punchline has been compared to Guided By Voices, Sharp Pins, and just about anything from those C-86 sessions. This embarrassment of jangle riches has far too many highlights to single out. But for me the album really takes off with the atmospheric “Solid Wall of Light.” The individual guitar parts shimmer and yet still stand apart.  “Luna Relay” is another strong effort, vibing an early 1960s disaster tune with just the right amount of distortion. “The Queen of Fleeting Moments” also has a very 1960s pop propulsion, accented by its punchy rhythm guitar. “Dismantled Man Tells You” is more a rush of jangle, reminding me of The Friends of Cesar Romero. Tracks like “Harper’s Echo” and “Molecular Charlatans” have a great crashing energy while and “Replacement City” offers a more contemplative counterpoint. Personally, I think “Flashes of Now” is the hidden should-be hit single, lodged near the very end Tremolo On The Punchline. That’s the beauty of a collection like this – so full, so much to explore (and enjoy!).

These bands have got their engines and instruments tuned and are definitely ready to hit the open road and open stages. Join them at the Bandcamp hyperlinks to cruise awhile with their new releases.

Photo courtesy James Vaughn Flikr collection.