(This review first appeared in issue 59 of Shindig! magazine)
Crocodile
7”
In the centre of the
Venn diagram of mod, freakbeat and powerpop you'll find The Ace.
Although they've released two albums this is the Leeds band's debut
on vinyl, a double A-side, back-to-mono delight courtesy of rising
garage label, Crocodile Records, based over the Pennines in
Manchester.
'I Dream Love' is
propelled by its central guitar riff which sounds like The Beatles'
'If I Needed Someone' played with a gob full of purple hearts.
Fleshed out with a nifty bass line and accomplished three way
harmonies, it has '66 beat explosion written all over it. This 50
year displacement is an issue addressed on the flipside. It's less
immediate, more thought-out, all minor key guitar stabs and tight,
snappy drum rolls.
Evidently the band are
as skilled at depth as they are at filling dancefloors. Fans of The
Action, The Creation and The Jam will want to give this monaural gem
some heavy rotation.
