Local rock group Oh! Grandpa is veering towards the Nashville scene, but before getting too far up I-24, they dropped a four-track EP, Gadzooks!

Released at the end of January, the project showcases the Oh! Grandpa sound locals have heard the band cultivate through club gigs and house shows throughout the area. The four-piece, which consists of vocalist/pianist Michael Aldrich, bassist Paul Berger, guitarist Kevin Douds and drummer Jared Thompson, formed while at MTSU and have played their brand of rhythm-centered piano rock ever since.

If the piano rock label is a turn-off for you, don’t worry. Oh! Grandpa is less like the clean pop sound of Billy Joel and more like the swampy saloon rock perfected by Leon Russell (or as a contemporary example, fellow Tennessee rockers J. Roddy Walston and the Business). This is front and center on the EP’s lead cut, “40 Lb.” It jolts you into a rhythmic groove and throws you right into a crowded bar show. Its vocal melodies suit themselves to this groove, and both are simple enough to keep you engaged and having a fun time listening.

The band seems very comfortable playing with each other, so it’s easy to keep the upbeat rhythmic vibe of the release going from track to track. The instrumentation in general is the highlight of Gadzooks!, from the guitar solo of “Full Circle Tail” and the creepy, crawling piano intro to “Can You Hear Me?” to the rhythm section on “40 Lb.” The only point at which the instrumental element is an issue is on the last track, “Shakey.” There’s some interesting John Frusciante-like guitar work on the song, but it distracts from the interesting lyrics about sewing together threads that would never belong. Regardless, it’s still a welcome to change of pace to have this slower cut wind down the project.

Overall, Oh! Grandpa’s Gadzooks! is a solid rock EP that sets the bar high for local releases throughout the rest of the year. The album is available on Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify.