The Stan Laurels “There is No Light Without the Dark”
John Lathrop (aka The Stan Laurels) has taken the next leap forward in his musical vision. The band always had strong melodic songs, but the garage elements are toned down and the overall soundscape feels bigger. “Florida Man” relies on strong guitar riffs and John’s resonant vocals, while “Tomorrow” has a strong jangling rhythm, reminiscent of The Ocean Blue with its heavily textured sound.
Next, the brilliant “Lost & Found” is both catchy and full of musical subtleties. This combination of heavy chords and gentle vocal performance, similar to Teenage Fanclub is also notable on “On Paper” and “Mo Collins.” While other songs don’t approach this level of greatness, they fit right in. Definitely highly recommended.
Big Stir Records | Kool Kat Musik
Rich Arithmetic “Shiftingears”
Rich Arithmetic was an oddity in the Not Lame catalog way back in 1995 with Sleep In A Wigwam. The band fronted by Richard Horton is back with a potpourri of styles heavily influenced by the ’60s pop and folk. Opening with “In Our Time (Ode for The E-Types)” is an earnest tribute to a beloved one-hit-wonder of a band and it continues with a cover of the tune “She Moves Me.” The fond look at musical nostalgia continues with the bright harmonies on “Do You Remember?” and “Haley.”
The next few songs are eclectic in style but mostly unmemorable. The psych-pop pastiche “Waiting For Isaac” and baroque pop of “Before For The First Slice” full of echoing vocals and strings are compelling distractions. “He’s A Good Man” is another standout here, with a piano pop melody full of bounce, very much in the XTC style. Overall an interesting release worth checking out.
https://youtu.be/NiU2cVJFjPg