New York singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Carter Brady released his debut album, Blue Reverb in late 2021. Between that album’s release and the end of 2023, Brady wrote 50+ songs; the 13 best of which comprise his sophomore effort, Shopping Cart.
It feels believable that these are the 13 best songs Brady wrote over the last two years because almost every track feels like a single. The album’s lead single and opening track, “We’re Talking” is reminiscent of powerpop icons like Matthew Sweet or the Romantics. While second track and second single “Instead” has the same uptempo energy but utilizes more major 7th chords. It feels like Weezer’s “Burndt Jamb” or maybe “Island In the Sun.”
The album’s third track and third single, “Grocery Store” uses similar chord shapes to “Instead” but with a jauntier strum. Brady experiments with multipart vocal harmonies which gives the song a psychedelic pop feel, reminiscent of Electric Light Orchestra. Because of that, it is a bit of an outlier on the album and the least radio ready song of the singles.
The mid-album one-two punch of “So Late” and “Fit In” feel more single-like. The song’s have similar arena rock vibes that would slot in between Foo Fighters and The Offspring without the listener missing a beat.
The album’s second half sees Brady whip out the acoustic guitar more than once. “Invincible” is mostly acoustic with electric guitar leads being added in halfway through. The next track “Suppressed” fakes the listener out with its all acoustic beginning before breaking into a full-on rock track at the 40 second mark. The album’s closing track “How Come It Happens?” has an acoustic backbone but in the way that Phantom Planet‘s “California” utilizes it. It feels like too poppy of a song to be buried last on the album but that is just a credit to Brady’s songwriting. None of the songs feel like an album closer. None of the songs feel like filler. I’m not saying Shopping Cart sounds like a greatest hits albums, but I’m pretty sure I have heard worse “best of…” compilations before.
Rating: 7.2/10
