The Galileo 7 “False Memory Lane”
The Galileo 7’s new album False Memory Lane is loaded with acid-tinged pop goodies across its 11 tracks. Lead by bassist-singer-songwriter Allan Crockford, he proudly displays his love of late sixties pop influences. The opener “Don’t Follow Me” demonstrates this with vintage Farfisa organ and fuzz guitar across a snappy melody. The slow building “My Cover is Blown” reminded me a bit of Schnauser’s psychedelic power pop. Each tune makes its mark, including “You’re Not Dreaming” with its catchy rhythms and “Nobody Told You” with its swinging “ba-ba-ba-da-ba” chorus.
The excellent “I’m Still Here” dials down the fuzz, with its Byrds meets Hollies chorus sure to stick in your head. “Don’t Want To Know” is another gem that soars with some excellent vocal/guitar interplay. Fans of The Creation and Dukes of The Stratosphere will dig the riff heavy “Little By Little.” Overall not a wasted note here and a very worthy addition to your retro music collection. Highly Recommended!
Grahame Steinberg “Grahame Steinberg 2”
The supremely talented Lane Steinberg and reclusive pop genius David Grahame delivered an amazing first album with indelible melodies. So what happened? Unlike their first effort, the lead vocals fall on Lane Steinberg, which isn’t a problem but the compositions are maddeningly inconsistent. This sounds like a collection of 23 demos and ideas polished up for release, most of them less than a minute and a half. Some of the songs work, but several fall very flat.
“Do Nothing Day” shambles along with discordant piano and guitar feedback. I guess that’s the song’s concept, but its not enjoyable. Better is Lane’s vocal styling of “Are You Inside,” almost like Stevie Wonder meets R. Stevie Moore. “Flash Flood” finds Lane doing his best Lou Reed, with a great combination of banjo and electric guitar. Highlights include “Evening Swim,” the soulful “Heirs To The Throne,” and “Interceding Hands.” I would have loved these songs to go longer than a single chorus, and eliminate crap like “Eternal Chicken.” There is enough here for me to recommend to fans of the duo, but I’d direct newcomers to the debut or Lane’s other collaboration, 8×8.
