(This review first appeared in issue 52 of Shindig! magazine)
For a band with a back
catalogue large enough to rival Grattan, (Sears if you're in the US),
it's surprising that this Seattle-based group are not more widely
known. Even more of a mystery given the strength of Jeff Kelly's
songwriting on this vinyl reissue of their 2012 album. Though they
may have strayed from the psych-pop/Paisley Underground roots of
their DIY cassette releases of the mid '80s, their current brand of
intelligent guitar-based pop for grown ups more than compensates.
The music veers from
taut and muscular indie rock, through lilting piano ballads and
McCartney-esque pop, to songs owing more to European gypsy music than
they do Anglo-American rock. Despite such musical variations the
album is held together by being a two part song-cycle that reveals
depth and intrigue with each listen. If dark storytelling is not to
your taste there's the upbeat 'Carrie', a true hit single in waiting.
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