The Caps – Heading To The Coast

contributor: Hoyt Emerson – January 13, 2010

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It being well into winter round these parts I’ve been in a particular mood that has led me to some great music. I’ve been hiding in my room, scouring the internet for nice winter songs to drink my tea and whiskey to. Portland has, as usual, found me all the musical awesomeness I was craving. One great rain induced musical coma after another. Everything was going fine until I received Heading To The Coast by mail in mid December. Surprised enough by the albums title, the cover artwork suggested something straight out of the month of June. Why would someone head to the coast in December? Why is there a blue sky on the cover? I had initially thought The Caps must be confused. Why would anyone release a record specifically designed for summertime in the winter? Least to say I was intrigued, if not bewildered, by the decision and upon listening had to prepare myself for an interruption in my awesome winter playlist siesta.

Heading To The Coast comes out swinging with jangly guitar, 60’s organ parts, Momma’s and Papa’s voice harmonies even the kitchen sink of a horn section in the opener, “Couldn’t Tell You”. What the heck were The Caps trying to do to me!?! These aren’t songs for the winter. They are riddled with catchy surf guitar, glistening shoegaze organ parts and ridiculously buttery melody harmonies. I have to say I was taken back so much by the percieved season faux pa that it limited my ability to be able to immediately get in to the songs. I was in winter mode, full on, and The Caps were threatening everything that I had accepted about northwest winters. They were reminding me of what I wished I was doing. Driving to the coast in the summer. Their songs childishly narrate the most trivial of stops along the way [well I pulled off to the side of the road and I got myself a sandwich] with a little head scratching enlightenment [Who will be there when the world will not ask the dust]. This all while being sporadically interrupted with tasty horn sections, Motown breakdowns and well crafted structure. This isn’t just a summer album. It might be THE summer album.

The Caps have a great record on their hands here and I hope they continue to push it. Its not a record to listen to while hibernating in your apartment. On the contrary, this is a survival guide for getting the most out of the few shining moments of northwest weather. Its a tribute to what we all wish we could do all year long here in Portland. To have a nice sunny drive out to the beach. While it may take a moment to warm up to these songs (no pun intended) it is safe to say that by summertime you will understand what this album was meant to do.

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