Crossword Smiles - Pressed & Ironed

Released: 16 Sept 2022
Label: Big Stir

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Crossword Smiles are a band from Michigan, consisting of Tom Curless (Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (The Hangabouts). This is their debut, which I felt was overlooked at the time, so thought I'd go back and review. 

The album opens with 'Feet on the Ground' which is superbly anthemic guitar pop. Their sound is reminiscent of Big Star, and also the 90s power pop band - Velvet Crush.

My favourite here is the upbeat 'The Girl With A Penchant for Yellow' which has brilliant pop hooks and is a lot of fun.

Other highlights include 'Where's The Sense' which again is wonderfully catchy. There are some lovely vocal harmonies. 'Walk Softly' is more melodic and atmospheric, with hints of Country and Folk.

 

A superb album, from a band well worth checking out. Highly recommended.

Dot Dash - Madman in the Rain

Released: 5 Nov 2022
Label: The Beautiful Music

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Dot Dash, from Washington D.C. have been making music for a while but are a relatively new discovery for me. Their sound is a mixture of more melodic indie/jangle, with hints of Punk. 

The album opens with 'Forever Far Out' which is my favourite here. It is wonderfully catchy, bringing to mind classic 70s Mod/Punk of The Jam.

Other highlights include 'Tense and Nervous' which is fast 2 minute pop and joyously energetic. 'Animal Stone' is moody 60s-inspired Psych at its finest, bringing to mind The Action.

'Everything = Dust' is slightly heavier Punk, but more fun than angry, which is often the case with the genre. 'Wokeupdreaming' is sublime and more laid back, with hints of Velvet Underground and The Byrds.

 

A superb album, full of memorable melodies and a variety of styles. Highly recommended.

Ian M Bailey - You Paint The Pictures

Released: 28 Oct 2022
Label: Kool Kat

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Ian M Bailey is back with a new album, of Byrds-inspired guitar pop. Again it is co-written by Daniel Wylie (of Cosmic Rough Riders). 

It opens with 'Paint The Pictures', which is wonderfully uplifting and Summery. It has a big anthemic chorus and like many of the songs here, is instantly memorable.

My favourite here is 'I Wanted The Sun To Shine' which is a sweet love song, bringing to mind R.E.M. The lyrics are melancholic and thought-provoking. - "This World is a mystery, like a sound in a Cemetery. Like a wheel that turns this life, but no-one really dares."  

Other highlights include 'I Don't Want To Start Again', which is more jangle of the highest standard and brought to mind later Teenage Fanclub. 'Hey Little Girl' is beautifully melodic, with orchestral production adding to the emotional impact. 'Lover's Song' is reminiscent of Neil Young, with hints of Americana. 

 

A lovely Album, with Summery vibes, even on these cold Autumn days. Highly recommended.

Professor Yaffle - Let There Be Light

Released: 17 Oct 2022
Label: _

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Professor Yaffle, from Liverpool, is back with a new album. It is a beautifully uplifting listen, the sound being a mixture of indie, folk and psych.  

It opens with 'Most Of My Air' which is wonderfully laid back, yet with some bleak lyrics. The production is superb, with some excellent guitar work. It is hard to find comparisons but there are definitely hints of Pink Floyd's more ambient music.   

Other highlights include 'Something Beyond Beautiful', which is lovely and melodic, with heartfelt lyrics. Again, it is well produced with sweeping strings and intricate piano. 'Tears In My Eyes' is more Folk sounding and melancholic. 'Someday' is one of the sweetest love songs I have heard lately. It is honest lyrically, with magical sounding xylophones. 

My favourite here is 'You Make It All Worthwhile' which has some lovely vocal harmonies and a chorus which instantly stays in your mind.

 

A brilliant album, with great attention to detail, full of epic soundscapes and heartfelt songs. Highly recommended listening for Autumn evenings.

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.

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.

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.