The Slingsby Hornets “Something Old…Something New…”
Jon Paul Allen returns and he hasn’t lost any of his mojo, as the Brian May inspired guitar licks on “Stoned Houses No.1 / Elevator” rip through the speakers. “Gettin’ Better” is a 70’s styled rock glamfest that has a lot in common with the recently released Vinyl Candy. The Slingsby Hornets trot out a few really obscure covers, (“Pinball,” “Gonna Make You A Star”) and perform them so well you wouldn’t know they aren’t originals. He adds a bit of psychedelic rhythm to the guitars on “She’s The One” and “Are Friends Electric?” sure to please fans of The Pillbugs. Some interesting effects are all over “Miles Away” which feels like a Andrew Gold-Brian Wilson collaboration. Another gem is “Glass Of Champagne” with it’s steady beat, “oh yeah” harmonic chorus and divine guitar riffs — it’s one of my favorites here. He kind of goes overboard on the faux-James Bond movie theme “The Devil May Care,” but overall this is Allen’s strongest album to date, full of great melodies, awesome musicianship and careful studio production. Fans of classic rock influences shouldn’t miss this one.
Josh Ketchen & The 1,000’s “We Don’t Belong Here”
Boston based Josh Ketchen is a singer songerwriter that builds songs with a unique sound that falls somewhere between Paul Simon and Ian McCulloch. The farfisa organ opens up “We Don’t Belong Here” and it’s clear Josh is a good story teller. His crooning style took me a few listens to get used to, but the catchy melodies and beats win you over. “Earl Grey” is a detailed and compelling story of a long term relationship. The musical themes take small details from the early ’60’s Beach Boys and Belle and Sebastian, as evidenced by the echoing “Riverside” with it’s Spector-like orchestration. Occasionally it gets a bit pretentious (“Another Term For Love”) but often it’s very honest and hits the right balance of melancholy and whimsy. “Dream” is a sad/hilarious portrait of a washed up rocker, as Josh wails “What do rock stars dream when their heads aren’t filled with amphetamines?” Almost every track has a memorable arrangement and keeps things moving along, and the bouncy “Say So” is a real pop treat. Some songs lean more folk than pop, and fans of Camera Obscura, Stereolab and Robyn Hitchcock may also find this a totally enjoyable album. This is a small debut that grows on you like moss and will remain planted in your memory.