Best Of Friends is the first new album by Sparkle*Jets U.K. in over 20 years and is a covers album, that to this listener features 21 songs I've not heard the originals too, I only actually recognize two of the bands covered, making this feel like a double album of fresh material to me. I have super vague memories of having seen Sparkle Jets live either at the Garage or LA2 but it might just be a mirage of my memory as this band actually come from Southern California and may never of played over here. They still have the bands classic line-up of Michael Simmons, Susan West, Jamie Knight, Joel Valder, plus guests including Tisha Boonyawatana and Anthony Grisham.
This covers Album opens with Hold On Tight, as there are another 20 songs, after this rain dappled opener, this one's originally by Walter Clevenger & The Dairy Kings, that's perfect for that rainy day you are trying to get over, it's melancholic power pop that's hoping things get back to normal, so that pedal steel can really let fly.
He's Coming Out is a great jazzy punk pop song celebrating a friend who's Coming Out, he may have to leave town, but he will be so much happier when he does, this sounds almost like Suzi Quatro and has a rip-roaring guitar solo, as we all celebrate with him on this Masticators cover.
No One Rides For Free is like a heavy Kinks, balls to the walls love letter, to someone who has all the hallmarks of being a freeloader, on this song that was originally by The Andersons.
One Summer Sunday is relaxed laid back indie pop of the wistful kind that may originally be by Kompost but doesn't stink in anyway whatsoever. Are We There Yet? every kid's favorite line while on a journey, in this case a string laden piano led song, asking if your ready to be lovers yet or not. Well Cosmo Topper asked the question to begin with and now Sparkle*Jets U.K. ask it again, well go on give in to the love they want to bring.
Ludlow 6:18 makes the Cockeyed Ghost Song into a rather reflective song with some searing guitar, I was hoping this might have been about the apartment on Ludlow that John Cale shared with Lou Reed but as this is about Hollywoodland it certainly isn't.
Battle Song sounds far too peaceful to be a real battle song as the dynamics try to take sides on this Adam Daniel song, as they beg and plead for your love.
I Want A Pony is a Candypants song that almost feels a bit Belle Stars type cheeky pop, pleading for that Pony and not in a rhyming slang style either. Till We Meet Again to discuss who The Dons really wanted to meet on this rain-soaked song for the pains of being apart.
Come Down Now and try to expunge any thoughts of Let It Be from your head, as they talk about a church song, as this song that The Negro Problem originally recorded, this has cool dovetailing vocal duet with a gentle church organ.
Automatic the Double Naught Spies tune has a slight James Bond twist lyrically, on this college rock song about the sort of woman that gives them the collywobbles, as it stutters and starts as they try to make sure she isn't another Ursula Andres, on a tune that will please any Whovians who hear it.
Who Can Really Know if this is better or worse than the Florapop original, I do know this is spreadable and far more like a lightly salted butter than any margarine pop.
Sunshine Tonight was by The Shazam and it does have magical qualities, sounding totally familiar yet new in the way of many great power pop songs, good harmonies and sizzling guitars, this zips along.
Good Sounds is an early morning song for end of the party pick up lines, on this Linus Of Hollywood song, as you wonder if they will really get to it before the end of the song, on this super sweet seductive pop song, that has echoes of 60's teenage girl group pop.
In And Around Greg Lake The Wondermints classic neatly explains why Greg tours solo, as he doesn't mix well with others, this song feels like it splits into three or four songs at once in places, in a way reminiscent of The Alessi Brothers or Supertramp.
Today Will Be Yesterday Tomorrow is a Big Star obsessed Big Hello song, this has driving guitars and super catchy vocals, it's very tempting to stick on repeat, as that piano line cuts through, as I wonder if the original is anywhere near as great as this is.
Another Myself is in love with the early Talking Heads guitar sound, as The Sugarplastic may also have been, as this opens out, the central character finds himself turning into a creature of the night.
Right Idea is an organ driven 60's infused garage power pop song for driving across town late at night, in search of some Standells fans on this Kenny Howes And The Yeah! Song.
Mahnsanto is the second cover of a song by The Negro Problem on this album, also one of the singles, this is poppy fuzz guitar with super quick almost rapped vocals, that segue into a sweeter counter vocals over synth garage pop.
Probleme Romantique originally by The See Saw is gently hazy tinged thoughts on how his love life's up the spout, as she insists on staying all night, like he's got another love coming over at 5 am..
The album closes with Fantastic Pantsuit a full-throated scream of lust for that outfit your Third Grade Teacher wore, she wants to run her hands all over that super tight Pantsuit, like your dancing with Pans People on Top Of The Pops, whose theme tune gets ripped off for 8 bars or so.
Find out more at https://bigstirrecords.com/product/868652 https://bigstirrecords.com/product/868651 https://bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com/album/best-of-friends
