The Flash Hits “Growths” 2022. Frontier Records on gold vinyl. Four piece arty psychedelic-ish post-punk from L.A. Growths is their second of three total LP releases (their first was on cassette and I’m guessing sort of self-released). I’m fairly certain this is my first ever listen to The Flash Hits and so far I’m intrigued. It vacillates between atmospheric dreamy lo-fi psych (“Brat-Scam“), groovy Velvet Underground-meets-They Might Be Giant nerdy drone-pop like on my top track “Fake Pepper” plus the sorta exotic “The Extra Special,” another top pick, and Sgt. Pepper era Beatlesque psych-pop (“Stay Tops” which also veers into danceable garage rock as does the angular “Hobo Cloak”).  The overall sound is dense buzzy guitars backed by sparse rhythms, overlaid with delightfully (slightly) off key vocals. There’s even some goth-flute! (“With“) (I’m guessing it’s not really a flute – or horns – but the thought of that makes me laugh)  All in al, a bit weird and nerdy. From their Bandcamp site: “The Flash Hits Are Now! Born of a love for colorful guitars, hypno-groovy bass, fascinating rhythms, found sounds and sweet-dream sidewalk talk, Flash Hits row merrily through streams of post-punk, art rock, and micro-psychedelia, weaving a backdrop to deliver their neorealistic Oulipo-laced narratives.”