Fashion Show. Linnea's Garden

Linnea's Garden featured on this blog several times since about a year ago. Singles and an EP came by. All nice but they did not prepare me for what came next. Fashion Show is a blast from the past, present and future. From the past, as it brings together a lot of things in music that were so good decades ago. The present because Fashion Show provides an energy jolt everybody can use and goodtime music that makes you smile is always welcome. The future as this album should resonate for quite some time as, of course I have to be cautious with an album that on the time of writing still has to see the light of day, may be a classic in the making. There's no doubt that Charles Dickens did not have Fashion Show in mind when he wrote 'A Christmas Carol' but if this is the outcome of the three tenses then the world is the better for it, by a lot.

With Fashion Show Linnea's Garden releases its debut album. Based in the Boston area, it is a part of a, seen from a distance, huge scene of alternative rockers of a certain age, who decided either to finally start rocking out seriously or to do so once again. In the case of Linnea's Garden this certainly is an extremely good choice.

Linnea's Garden is a fully DIY trio consisting of Linnea Herzog, vocals - guitar and songwriting, Amy Galavits on bass and Hands on drums. The trio recorded and produced, Hands is responsible for the cover photograph. Only the mixing and mastering was handed over to producer Tom O'Donnell. The album is released by Boston label, Red on Red Records. So young and already with a few great records to its name. As you've surmised, another is added.

It's time to explain why I think it is. First off, there is the exuberance of the album. The enthusiasm is so catching. As if a bunch of kids is let out of school and bursts into the playground without having expected it. The result is bouncy punkrock, Avicii style guitar playing, serious playing, unexpected shouts for joy and what not. Fashion Show holds it all and then some. In this the album can compete with the best of them and my best in this basket is 'Eight Arms To Hold You', Veruca Salt's album of nearly 30 years ago. The only difference is that the latter is a huge, big production alternative rock album, and Fashion Show is not. It's kept smaller but works at least as well. That one is in Linnea's Garden's basket.

Secondly, the album or better Linnea Herzog surprised me. Her voice is far richer than I'd suspected from what I'd heard before. She's able to play with her voice and share different moods with the listener. It makes her songs richer by far. From a girly style singing, she can bring in a punky sneer or make things very serious. She's also able to sound light-hearted and darker. Over it all there's some pride as well, as she's clearly very happy with her songs and performance.

Thirdly, the fun of making the album comes through most of all. Fun is an important part of this music. Don't get me wrong. This is a serious album, in several ways, but the fun of having been able to make it shines through and adds an extra layer to Fashion Show.

Finally, the diversity of Fashion Show is a plus. A punky, alternative rock would suffice as a description. Within it I find that there's so much variation in its boundaries. Linnea's Garden is not stuck in one hole but jumps from one to another with ease and quality, but never gets stuck on repeat, making the album a rich listening experience.

Linnea Herzog the rocker meets Linnea Herzog the academian in 'School', one of the most punky songs on the album. "I don't wanna go to school", she sings, perhaps looking back on the herself from a while back. 'College is more fun than working in the real world, but rocking is more fun than working". She's on a stage now with her band and living the dream anyway. If she's able to bring the energy of her album to the stage, playing a few bigger venues should be a serious option. Just think of hearing the blistering solo in 'School' live! Talking about musical adventures.

Like I wrote, her previous songs were nice, nearly all songs on Fashion Show are good, better or best. I honestly did not see this album coming and am so pleasantly surprised. Another favourite album in 2022 has landed already. I'm almost not able to keep up with them. Fashion Show, please go and listen now.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Fashion Show on Linnea's Garden Bandcamp page:

https://linneasgarden.bandcamp.com/album/fashion-show