Review Summary: Kevin James is in the album
As a newer fan of Bilmuri, I can safely say that the fanbase has indeed been eating good these past couple of years. The release of the energetic and positive 400LB BACK SQUAT contrasted with the darker but somber GOBLIN HOURS, and the absolute cranker of album that is EGGY POCKET and all the singles in between them; the afterglow really feels like each release after the next can't be topped. There's just no way.
Enter American Motor Sports: a love letter to the Midwest that sounds like a scene kid finally grew up and decided to stop pushing away music genres just for the sake of being edgy and emo. Johnny leans into his love for that good ole' sound and injects a serum of brews, heartbreak, surprisingly heavy grooves, saxophone, Kevin James, lawn mowing, moving on, soaring vocal harmonies, and Kevin James, that becomes an absolutely well-timed release for the summer of '24 that anyone can gaze out into the distance of corn fields awash lush forests and feel happy to be an American.
There are so many moments in this runtime that bring a smile to my face. The blaring sax after the chorus in 2016 Cavaliers (Ohio), the ridiculously relatable EMPTYHANDED, the love-laden lyrics of SPINNIN' YOU AROUND and TALKIN' 2 UR GHOST; it all comes together in a no-skip 28 minute run-time that's sure to bob heads at any fire with friends and relatives or just doing 10 over the speed limit in Ohio's backroads with the windows down. Some tracks are surprisingly sober however, such as STRAIGHT THROUGH YOU and DRUNK ENOUGH, the latter of which really took me off guard, a song about putting the drink down and realizing you need real love from people instead of boozing.
That's about it, guys. Another great release, another great summer. Kevin James.
