The FIFA World Cup is a “thing” now that the USA beat Iran, but to me what kicks ass is The Kut with a badass guitar riff and a theme “Fun When You’re Winning.” When it comes to winning, it “Takes One To Know One” courtesy of The Shang Hi Los. It’s melodic hard rock at its finest. Then we calm down for Rob Clarke with “Tik Tok” which doesn’t appear to be about that social media app.
London-based Green Seagull is a retro-pop outfit, and “They’re Coming For You Barbara” is a wonderful Kinksian gem. Sweden’s Richard Öhrn gives us a jangling “Take This Bottle” from his debut album Sounds in English. Andy Bopp has a new single too, and “King of the Day” is on a new compilation of his music remixed by Nick Bertling. Finally, Richard Gintowt (aka Hidden Pictures) releases the fuzzy guitar pop of “Randi.” Sweet!
Power pop faves The Connection return with a strongly themed LP about breaking up with your girl on We Wish You Success. Starting with “You Know” it gives you everything you want; quick tempo, sing-along chorus and steady riffs with a terrific solo break. “Color Me Unimpressed” is a great tune that describes the internal monologue of a guy wondering why he’s going out with someone so incompatible. The title track adds a honky-tonk rhythm when going through the break up as lead singer Brad Marino sings “Don’t wanna waste my breath /cuz your tone-deaf /I’ll just watch you dig a deeper grave.”
No bad songs or filler here, as the band maintains cruising speed. In some sense, the band isn’t growing or expanding and playing it safe with its tried-and-true rock and roll. But fans love it, and it yields great songs like “Mechanical Heart,” “Heaven or Hell,” and “The Girl is Trouble.” Another Highly Recommended gem from New England’s Hit Makers.
London retro rockers Green Seagull are firmly rooted in 1966-69 psychedelic pop, with trippy Farfisa organ, Rickenbacker jangle, and light harmonies. “Not Like You And Me” and “Scarlet” open the set with a paranoid tone, but it quickly showcases the talent here. If you enjoyed The Strawberry Alarm Clock or the Lemon Pipers, then songwriters Paul Nelson and Paul Milne have the goods for you.
“Dogsbody,” is like a hippie-like musing and the baroque organ in “Remember The Time” recall The Left Banke or The Cowsills. Another solid tune is “(I Used to Dream In) Black and White” with fantastic three-part harmonies and contrasting that with crisp guitar riffs. However many tunes simply lack the hooks to make them stick or worse they remind you of the period excesses that paved the way to progressive rock. With that in mind, several standouts include the layered bubblegum gems “Shrubbery Road,” “Girls Are Coming To Town,” and The Kinks-like “I Live and Let Live.” For fans of the ’60s psyche-pop era it’s definitely recommended.
