Could this be the right time for Howie Payne? has he finally found his place in the right band? those familiar with the Liverpool music scene will know the main man of The Stands from his time in the most unfortunate 'Blueseed' and more recently the ill fated 'Big Kids' who were in the opinion of this reviewer responsible for one of the greatest tunes never to hit the airwaves in: 'You Can't Have It'.
While his talent remains undoubted, his run of luck has been a different story! However,dragging himself back from the brink and undiminished by the atrocious hand he's been dealt so far, Howie has managed to put together this line up and become the latest addition to the burgeoning cosmic scene with this cool 45 slice of psychadelic 60s pop.
Sure it's retro sounding and yes the songs do sound like The Byrds doing Bob Dylan doing The Beatles but they still have the same immediacy of any great pop song that makes you want to listen time and time over. More in keeping with the country rock of The Bandits than any of their other contemporaries the key is in the melody and the imagery rather than the complexity of the timing or arrangement.
|
'When This River Rolls Over You' is very much in the mould of 60's folk pop standards such as 'Blowing in the wind' and 'Leaving on a Jetplane' and has the obligatory harmonica solo to boot, but it's done so effortlessly well. Howie's voice is vulnerable and winsome and draws you in. Flip side 'She Speaks Of These Things' adds 'Rain' by The Beatles to the mix and is slightly more outthere and groovy in true 'Yeah Baby'fashion.
A great summer reckid and a great debut. that provides a taster for their soon-to-be released long player whilst providing proof that the patronage of a certain Noel Gallagher isn't always a bad thing. Buy it now and add the width to your trousers and hair later.
|
