“Getaway Car” by Ivan Mudd comes out of the gate racing. Ivan Mudd’s first single delivers with fuzzy guitars, crunch, punk attitude, and a catchy melodic hook that makes the track immediately inviting. While it is a straightforward power pop tune, the band knows exactly how much grit and melody it needs to keep the formula interesting.
The Norwegian trio has a pretty rough-edged sound in their guitar work without resorting to full-on distortion, ensuring that the melodies aren’t sacrificed entirely, while the vocals keep things solidly in the realm of accessible pop. It all sounds intentionally basic without ever feeling underdeveloped or lacking.
That straightforwardness actually works well for the momentum of the track. “Getaway Car” is a track that obviously wants to make you feel like you’re moving. It’s got that driving groove to it, and the guitars are just dogged about keeping the momentum going, so it can feel like you’ve been dumped in the trunk of a car and driven away.
While its roughly textured surface and sweet songwriting seem mildly oppositional, there’s something conducive to harmony. Ivan Mudd is aware that distortion can add punch to the best power pop, but it shouldn’t drown the hook out. The fuzz gives substance, but the song provides the flesh.
This song is from “Tales From The Valley,” the band’s concept album loosely centered on a fake television series and fictional city. That setup lends “Getaway Car” a cinematic element without making it unnecessarily convoluted. Even its title just implies that you’re arriving somewhere in the middle of a tale, as something is happening and someone is leaving.
Above all, it captures the fundamental essence of power pop: hit people with a good tune, crank up the guitars, and don’t overanalyze it. “Getaway Car” hits people with a good tune, cranks up the guitars, and does so with a bit of grit and personality.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for various publications around the world, the former lead writer of review blogspace Atop The Treehouse and content creator for Manila Bulletin.
