The Anderson Council “Worlds Collide”
The Anderson Council jump into the melodic pool with both feet planted firmly into the XTC meets The Beatles section, from psychedelic guitar solos to smart anglophilic lyrics. The celebrated Peter Horvath continues to guarantee a splendid time for all, in fact, this could arguably be his best album ever. Opening literally with an explosion, it goes into the title track with a brilliant bass line melody and layered psyche-pop flourishes with shimmering chords. The slower tempo “Lord Cornellius Plum” is like the spiritual brother to Sgt. Pepper. The influences are all covered, another highlight “Camden Town” is a bit more early Beatlesque in approach with another sing-along chorus.
Horvath dazzles with his period accuracy on “Mrs. Kirkby’s Refridgerator,” then the sounds get modern on the sobering “Amazing,” a biographical essay with buzzing guitars. The power-pop gems flow with the very cool “Santa Clara,” “Your Devices,” and “Grey Heavenly Lane” recalls Material Issue at times. The band pushes its way through the acid rock of “How Much Long” and “When I Fall,” but I feel it does much better with pure psychedelics of “Into The Clouds.” Overall a great album, with the added bonus of legend Peter Noone singing on a version of “Mrs. Kirkby’s Refridgerator,” and so it’s definitely highly recommended. In fact, it’s added to my “best of” list for 2019. Get it today!
The Galileo 7 “There Is Only Now”
The Galileo 7 is one of the best psyche-pop garage bands out there, and on their 6th album, they blast off at top speed. The best example is the opener “Everything is Everything Else” where Allan Crockford’s lyrical compositions take a life of their own. Allan is joined by bassist Paul Moss, organist Viv Bonsels, and drummer Matthew ‘Mole’ Lambert. The band continues to mine the influences of that wonderful technicolor era of late 60’s pop for a new audience. The band’s energy and harmonies sparkle on the title track and also on the solid “Let Go.”
The songs were created and recorded quickly and according to Crockford; “I wanted everyone to sing at least one song on this album.”All the bandmates had a chance to take a lead vocal. In addition, there is a very positive vibe throughout. Lambert does his best Moon-like drum rolls on “Looking Up” and things mellow nicely with the bongo rhythm of “The Last Hours of Aldous Huxley.” However, the crown jewel here is the catchy crisp melody of “Crooked Smile.” Not a bad track or note of filler here, fans of The Creation, The Pretty Things and mod-era Who should check this out for sure. Highly Recommended.
