Sunday 30 October 2022

The Wends - Its Here Where You Fall




Released: 28 Oct 2022
Label: Subjangle
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The Wends (formerly known as Smile), from Italy, are back with a new album. It is hugely enjoyable and full of 80s/90s inspired jangle goodness.  


It opens with my favourite here 'What A Heart Is For' which is one of the finest guitar pop songs I have heard this year. It is wonderfully melodic and heartfelt and brought to mind The La's. The chorus will stay in your mind from first listen.   

Other highlights include 'Worthy of Nothing' which has a slightly heavier edge and a big anthemic chorus. The sound is reminiscent of early REM. 'The Way We Die Tonight' is more melancholic, with emotional lyrics and epic production. There are hints of early Radiohead. 

'Best Behaviour' is slightly post punk sounding with some superb pop hooks, bringing to mind Guided By Voices.
 
A brilliant album from a band well worth investigating. Highly recommended.


Wednesday 26 October 2022

The Mellons - Introducing The Mellons




Released: 21 Oct 2022
Label: Earth Libraries
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Utah Baroque pop band - The Mellons are a new discovery for me. Their debut album is a gloriously psychedelic listen full of 60s inspired pop gems. 

'So Much Today' is wonderfully Summery and recalls The Beach Boys. There are some lovely vocal harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. It is well produced and captures the feeling of 60s Baroque pop perfectly.

My favourite here is the superb 'What A Time To Be Alive'. This one is more Beatles-inspired, and strangely hypnotic. The chorus is quite anthemic and its simplicity makes the song instantly memorable.   

Other highlights include 'Strawberry Girl', which is full of charm with whimsical lyrics and great pop hooks. 'Hello Sun' is so epic with a huge chorus, sounding like Abbey Road era Beatles. 'Magic Spell' has hints of soul and brought to mind Unknown Mortal Orchestra. 
 
A hugely enjoyable album and recommended for fans of 60s Baroque pop.


Tuesday 18 October 2022

Vernons Future - Aquaplaning




Released: 7 Oct 2022
Label: VF Records
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UK indie band - Vernons Future, are a recent discovery for me. This is their first album under this name and is a collection of singles and other songs from 2019 onwards. They released one album back in 1990 (Smithdown Road) as The Vernons. 

Their sound is wonderfully catchy indie pop, reminiscent of late 80s/early 90s. It opens with 'Call To Arms' which is anthemic indie with hints of Echo and the Bunnymen. It is about climate change with some hard-hitting lyrics - "Don't expect a sympathetic ear, when the World you love will quickly disappear."

My favourite here is the superbly upbeat 'Holy Joe' which is feelgood guitar pop at its finest. There were hints of The Coral - In The Morning, and you will want to play it on repeat!  

Other highlights include 'Just Can't Help Myself' which is instantly memorable with 70s prog vibes, bringing to mind Greg Lake. 'Lights Have Changed' is more moody sounding, with some bleak lyrics - "The stars in the sky will not last forever..." and again has a big anthemic chorus. 
 
A hugely enjoyable album and highly recommended for fans of 90s indie.


Wednesday 12 October 2022

Librarians With Hickeys - Handclaps & Tambourines




Released: 14 Oct 2022
Label: Big Stir
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Librarians With Hickeys, from Ohio, are back with their second album. It is more enjoyable jangle with plenty of great pop hooks.   Their sound is inspired by 80s REM with hints of the 60s Psych of The Byrds. 

It opens with 'I Better Get Home' which is superbly catchy and brought to mind The Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love, so there are hints of Punk here too.

My favourite here is 'I Can't Stop Thinking About You' which is a wonderful love song, and instantly memorable. It shows simplicity is often the key with this music and I could imagine it would have been a college radio hit.  

Other highlights include 'Can't Wait Till Summer' which is highly melodic and anthemic. 'Lady Overdrive' is a fun listen with a huge chorus and handclaps e.t.c. 'Last Days of Summer' is beautifully Autumnal with some lovely viola playing, which also adds variety to the album.
 
Highly recommended Autumn listening, especially for fans of 80s jangle.


Tuesday 4 October 2022

Granfalloon - Calendar Volume I




Released: 30 Sept 2022
Label: _
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Granfalloon, from Manchester, are a new discovery for me. Their latest album is a wonderfully unique and enjoyable listen. The sound is a blend of indie and more traditional Folk.   

It opens with 'Archive' which is beautifully arranged, with big orchestral production. It is quite uplifting yet melancholic, the lyrics reflecting on memories of love, from scraps of paper receipts e.t.c. 

My favourite here is 'Please Write Responsibly' which is Folk style storytelling at its finest and will have you hanging onto every word. It is so imaginative and about a written story coming to life. The sound brought to mind Pulp and also the indie folk of Ralfe Band.  

Other highlights include 'Bee on a String', which is more 'pop' sounding than anything else here. It is brilliantly whimsical and perfect if you have a love for animal themed songs, as I do. 'O Joyce' is more lovely storytelling about the 'circle of life'. It ends on 'Rushmore' which is rather epic with some philosophical lyrics and soaring harmonies.
 
A superb album, and recommended Autumn listening, especially if you want to hear something a bit different.