The Vapour Trails “Golden Sunshine”
The echoing jangle of the Vapour Trails new LP shares those neo-hippie vibes, as this Scottish band feels more like it belongs on the streets of Haight-Ashbury than Aberdeen. The title track, “Golden Sunshine” is a cascading series of dream-like guitar arpeggios with muscular wah-wah riffs close behind. Fans of The Byrds, Beatles, and Buffalo Springfield will really enjoy this music. It’s psychedelic with a capital “P” on “Dr. Barnes” with its sitar and tambourine rhythms. Another gem here is “Lonely Man” with its catchy melodic composition and “Different Girl” dazzles with its harmonized verses.
It’s the unique vocal arrangements of male and female voices that make The Vapour Trails standout from the crowd. “Sometimes (Thinking of You)” is a great example of this, with a simple acoustic guitar and layered acapella. In addition, each song has a compelling approach, either “Strange” with its trippy jangle rhythm or the stunning Rickenbacker melody of “Behind You.” The styles and mood shifts often enough to keep things unpredictable, additional highlights include “You Wonder Why?” and the epic closer “Seabird.” Fans of the classic California sixties pop sound should not miss this one. Highly Recommended.
Andrew Taylor and the Harmonizers “Lockdown Session: May 2020, June 2020”
What started in April with Andrew Taylor (Dropkick) as a Covid-19 lockdown songwriting session in Scotland during April – has expanded to a monthly full-band effort. Andrew gets help from Alastair Taylor (Guitars,) Ian Grier (Bass, Keyboards,) and Iain Sloan (Pedal Steel, Guitars). In the May sessions we start with the workmanlike pop of “St. Leonards,” and those harmonies and steel pedal chords lead the way. Other highlights include “I Wouldn’t Be Anywhere Else,” “Turn Around,” and “Change of Heart.” The country-folk jangle is easy on the ears and the musicianship is solid, even if the songs tend to blend together a bit.
The June Sessions are more varied in style, and “I’ll Never Win” adds a little synth to the catchy melody. Between two slow almost somnambulistic ballads, we get the optimistic “For This To Pass,” and it’s great to hear those electric guitar riffs. “Ploughing On” is closer to Dropkick’s normal sound. The final song “You’re Not Right” (written in 1997!) is another highlight. These sessions are all a “name your price” download, so there are no excuses. Check it out!
