On their third album, 2016's
Todo, the Denver, Colorado-based combo
Pizza Time bust through seven fuzzy, lo-fi pop gems barely taking time out for a breath.
David Castillo writes and sings the hooky little '50s-inspired bubblegum songs; Ben Donehower (and a few friends this time) provide the tinny home-cooked sounds. Built on cheesy drum machines, fuzzy guitars, overdriven basslines, and the occasional corny synth, there's nothing pro going on here; it's amateur hour all the way. That's fine, because
Castillo's snappy vocals, the simple yet effective tunes he writes, and the overall feel of inspired fun make it worth checking out for garage rock fans, bedroom punk mavens, and especially anyone who digs the raw sounds of
Davila 666. That band's leader,
AJ Davila, co-wrote and sings on the album's first track, the bubbling-hot "Pizza Time," and plenty of their loose, rambunctious spirit is on display throughout. The rest of the record alternates between fast-paced rockers, where the music and vocals battle to see which can get to the end first, and midtempo ballads that let
Castillo's melancholy soul leak out like tears through squeezed-shut eyes. The lo-fi approach keeps it from veering into cliché, the strength of the songs is impressive, and the short running time keeps things fresh. There are ever so many bands doing very similar things as
Pizza Time in 2016; these guys make it work by keeping it simple and always delivering their songs fast and on time.