Neil Brogan - Things Keep Getting In The Way

Released: 8 Jul 2022
Label: _

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Neil Brogan, from Belfast, is a relatively new discovery although I was aware of his music when he was in the band - Sea Pinks. His new album is superb jangle/indie pop with 80s vibes.   

It opens with 'August to October' which is straight to the point, 2 minute pop at its finest and instantly memorable. His sound recalls Flying Nun records bands - The Bats, The Chills e.t.c.

Other highlights include 'Watercolours' which is a wonderfully simple and heartfelt love song. 'All We Know' is superbly melodic and jangly with hints of The Byrds too. The lyrics are bleak - "The World is a depressing hell hole, don't I know"

   

My favourite here is 'Things Keep Getting In The Way' which is upbeat with brilliant pop hooks, like many of the songs here.

A superb album full of short-but-sweet, catchy jangle pop gems. Highly recommended.

Phil Yates & The Affiliates - A Thin Thread

Released: 15 Jul 2022
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Phil Yates, from Chicago, is a relatively new discovery for me. His new album is feelgood guitar pop at its finest.   

It opens with 'I Can't Wait' which is straight to the point, 2 minute pop, full of superb hooks. The sound recalls Thirteen era Teenage Fanclub, and of course The Byrds.

'Trash Carrots' has a slightly heavier Punk edge, which is unexpected, and adds variety to the album. 'The Door No. 3' is a wonderfully melodic and heartfelt breakup song, which will get you emotional - "You're still the one that I adore. Should I grab my things and walk right out the door?"

   

'Green Eyes' is more instantly memorable power pop, with an anthemic chorus, to enjoy on repeat. 'The Fool' is upbeat, recalling ELO Mr. Blue Sky at times, with some dark lyrics. The melancholic 'Smithereens' is stripped back and atmospheric, reflecting on a relationship.

A superb album full of catchy guitar pop gems. Highly recommended Summer listening.

RW Hedges - Long Summer Days EP

Released: 20 Jul 2022
Label: High Tide Records

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RW Hedges is back with a new EP of beautifully crafted songs, which captures all the magic of the Summer season.   

The songs are all under 3 minutes long, with lovely melodies and superb pop hooks, reminiscent of the music of the 60s.

The standout on the EP is opener 'Charm Song' which has hints of Jazz and Folk. It has an uplifting chorus which will stay with you from first listen. 'This Heart' is a 50s inspired love song, which brought to mind Buddy Holly (the song even mentions 'True Love Ways').

Heartfelt ballad - 'A Flower or a Song' is an emotional listen, with the simplicity of early Beatles and The Left Banke. 'A Robin's Song' is joyous with elements of childrens storytelling, old Disney e.t.c. Describing the Robin as "Like an Angel who has come here to watch over me", is a reference to Gershwin's Broadway standard (obviously a huge influence here).

The closing song, 'Long Summer Days', is delicate and sentimental, with stripped back production by co-writer Luca Nieri. There is some intricate piano work and it had hints of the jazz standard 'Fly Me To The Moon.'

A wonderful EP, full of Summer cheer, to be enjoyed all year round. Highly recommended.

The Fernweh - TORSCHLUSSPANIK!

Released: 1 Jul 2022
Label: Winterlude Records

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UK indie band - The Fernweh return with their long awaited second album. Their debut was one of my favourites of 2018, with plenty of 60s inspired goodness. The main influences being The Beatles, Fairport Convention and early Pink Floyd.   

On their new album, they have gone for a more 70s sound.  It opens with 'The Wounds of Love' which has hints of the glam rock of Bowie and T-Rex. It references Pink Floyd - Another Brick in The Wall and U2 e.t.c. Admittedly, the new sound took a bit of getting used to. The orchestration is rather epic with superb guitar work and violins.

Other highlights include 'Pas Devant Les Enfants' which is more anthemic guitar pop, reminiscent of the music on their debut. 'End of the Summertime' is gloriously psychedelic with quirky lyrics.

   

My favourite here is 'I Want to See Your Name in Lights' which is beautifully melodic with hints of The Byrds. It has a big anthemic chorus, which brought to mind 'Hey Jude'. 'The Pike' is a bit silly lyrically but is a lot of fun. 'What's Jesus For?' is thought provoking with some wonderful storytelling.

A hugely enjoyable album and a brilliant return. Highly recommended Summer listening.

Theatre Royal - Beneath the Floor EP

Released: 14 Jul 2022
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UK indie pop band - Theatre Royal return with a new EP. Their sound recalls the best of 80s/90s indie, making it a hugely enjoyable listen.   

It opens with '1994' which is heartfelt and anthemic guitar pop at its finest. It is instantly memorable with soaring harmonies in the chorus. The subject/lyrics are melancholic and the overall sound had hints of New Order, The Cure e.t.c.

'Ship Beneath the Floor' brought to mind Ocean Rain era Echo and the Bunnymen. It is a laid back listen, perfect for Summer evenings.

   

'You Didn't See It' is more stripped back and Folk sounding with superb vocal harmonies and heartbreaking lyrics. 'Talking to Tracey' is more uplifting with great pop hooks. 'The End' is very bleak lyrically about death and losing all hope e.t.c. - "When I lose my heartbeat, when its gone forever. I'll be hoping that its as light as a feather."

A superb EP full of memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. Highly recommended Summer listening.

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - Dear Scott

Released: 3 June 2022
Label: Modern Sky

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I realise that Michael Head is a bigger artist than those I typically review here. But keeping with the theme of the blog, I wanted to write a few words about the new album.   

This is his second solo album with The Red Elastic Band, but those aware of Michael Head will know he has released many superb albums over the years with his past bands The Pale Fountains and Shack.

I like Michael Head the most for his simple and heartfelt love songs (of around 2 to 3 minutes) like 'As Long As I've Got You', 'Cadiz', 'Josephine' e.t.c. There are not too many like this on the new album, but I realise that songwriters can't keep writing the same songs and that change can be a good thing.

   

The standout on the album, and the closest to the above songs, is 'American Kid'. There are a lot of references to Old Hollywood and I felt this did over-complicate the song a bit. On the whole it is wonderfully uplifting, with a soaring chorus, reminiscent of Fable era Shack.

Other highlights here include 'Gino and Rico' which has Jazz vibes and brought to mind 'Stranger' from Shack album Waterpistol. There are some brilliantly inventive melodies and lyrics - "Life is for living and living is for life". The strength of the song 'Broken Beauty' is in its emotional impact, heartfelt delivery and superb production (by Bill Ryder-Jones past member of The Coral). 'Pretty Child' is an enjoyable take on a lullaby originally from The Night of The Hunter soundtrack. The result is glorious and there are hints of 60s Psych. 'The Ten' has some lovely melodic arrangements and vivid lyrics about life in old Liverpool.

The strongest album of the year so far, even though some of the songs here I didn't love instantly, as I did with his previous work. There are not many recent artists making music like this and Michael Head is still one of the best Songwriters around.

Gabriel's Dawn - Gabriel's Dawn

Released: 30 May 2022
Label: _

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Gabriel's Dawn are an indie pop band from The Midlands, UK and this is their debut. It is a highly enjoyable listen, recalling the best of 60s West Coast guitar pop.   

The band consists of members of other bands, including - The Silver Factory and Alfa 9 (who I absolutely love).

'Loose Canyon' opens the album and it is melodic, Americana-tinged guitar music at its finest. There are some glorious vocal harmonies and the chorus is wonderfully uplifting.

   

Other highlights include 'I Don't Believe (In the Summer of Love)' which has more chiming guitars, of course recalling The Byrds. The lyrics are melancholic and full of longing - "You took my heart and its not enough for you." 

'We' has some lovely melodies and also brought to mind indie pop band Alvvays. 'Tell Me Which Way' is another favourite here and is instantly memorable like much of the best retro guitar music.

A superb debut from a band well worth investigating. Essential Summer listening.