The Gold Needles - Through A Window

I like to believe that I have finger on the pulse of UK stuff, it isn't necessarily so, because as I mentioned in the review of Pearls, the debut on the Kool Kat label here, it was the purveyor of physical delights and Kool Kat King, Ray Gianchetti, that introduced me to the band.

There's something lacking with my antennae when someone from Nooo Yawwwwwwwwk tells me about a band that resides in the grim North as both band and I do. Since then there's been a growing love of the gentle Psych Pop that The Gold Needles master.

Strangely, or perhaps not strangely at all, most I meet think that the band are part of the Big Stir crowd. I can see why people would think that as they share the same ethic as Christina and Rex's growing Band Of Brothers (and Sisters), of which I'm proud to be involved with in a very small way. It's to Big Stir's credit that their reputation is so high, they are the Masters of the Power Pop and Pop Rock scene.

Through A Window, the band's second album gets a big release on Marty Scott's Jem label and it's splendid that the band gets to appear on the same label as Nick Piunti, yet still holds all the Fruits De Mer love.

The Gold Needles return with more excellent Psych Pop on Through A Window. The band will delight their ever growing UK following with their new wave take on UK Beat. The album builds on their live reputation as one of the best live bands on the scene. More importantly, this could and should be the album that breaks them worldwide.

They build on the ability to bring great variety in their material and Through A Window celebrates this strength in a focused melodic way. The Gold Needles are the best thing to come out of Hull since Mick Ronson and The Housemartins, they've been the UK's secret for too long.

Don't expect crashing Guitars and big licks here, the album Rocks, But Gently. The Jangle factor is high, the melodies shine through, but it's a thankfully, like the best Psych Pop, this is all understated and leisurely. There's even Brass fighting the 12 Strings on Girl You Will Be Mine.

Covers of The Monkees' I'm Gonna Try and The Lemon Pipers' The Shoemaker of Leatherwear Square fit in with the eight original songs beautifully. Incidentally, I hear Lemon Piper influences across the whole piece.

Goodnight Mr Tom closes the album, a real Jangle Fest which is a tribute to Tom Petty. Through A Window is a splendid listen. Top Notch stuff from one of the better UK Bands to emerge in the last few years. Well done all!

You can buy the album on Amazon here and everywhere else too. US people should head to Kool Kat here. You can listen to the album here.

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