The Billionaires are from Martha’s Vineyard, the children of the poor working stiffs who make a living catering to the “summer people.” Recently relocated to Los Angeles, the five Billionaires are four guys and a gal. The boys play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard. All five sing beautifully.
Two things grab you right off — the gorgeous harmonies and the terrific songwriting. “The End of Summer Song” is a delirious blast of giddy energy, a funky celebratory tune that obliquely references the Beach Boys without sounding anything like them. The band’s amazing harmonies are so sweet they’ll give you a white sugar rush. “Eighties Movies” is a yearning love song that washes away John Hughes films and other mind-rotting influences with a bright-eyed tidal wave of true love, highlighted by a groovy guitar solo and those giddy gushing harmonies. “Pass the Bottle” is a faux Ramones rave-up, with the Billionaires throwing a noisy party that distills forty years of rock rave-ups into two-and-a-half minutes of teenage bliss.
Many groups claim to be pop bands, but they’re usually short on songwriting craft and so obviously trying to emulate the sounds of the past that there’s a hollow echo to their music. The Billionaires don’t have that problem. They’ve thoroughly assimilated their influences and have a bright, sunny vibe that’s pure pop, but not in the least annoying or derivative. They’re, like, totally awesome. (Too Soon)
