Those who know are aware of how Pop Rock Bennett Wilson Poole can be. But I wonder about others who may be influenced by all the references to Americana and Folk all over the place. Yes there is some of that, but this is essentially a Pop masterpiece.
Even the Americana / Country tinged I Wanna Love You (But I Can't Right Now) is more Traveling Wilburys and morphs into a wonderful 60s Psych Pop solo and onwards to a blisteringly great Guitar extravaganza without losing the Steel Guitar.
That mix of Pop Rock and 60s Psych plays a big part in this second album of theirs. I suppose it has to with the pedigree of the trio. Danny Wilson from Danny And The Champions Of The World, Robin Bennett from The Dreaming Spires and Tony Poole of Starry Eyed And Laughing.
It has been five years since that debut album and as ace as it is, this is even better. It is as though there was more time available to hone the album and Poole's Production is outstanding, big, almost Jeff Lynne like in places without ever suffocating the songs.
Ready To Serve is all 12 String Jangle, channels The Byrds and is a Rickenbacker lover's wet dream. Heart Songs is straight from the 70s with a terrific Bassline yet Tie- Dye T-Shirt starts all Won't Get Fooled Again. I Saw Love is pure Power Pop.
The closing The Sea And The Shore is a wonderful piano ballad with a jaw dropping aching vocal from Poole. Throughout though the variation and combination vocals matches the lyrical depth. That debut took some following. To have bettered it is an even bigger feather in the cap. Wonderful!
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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EVERYONE should own this beautiful record.
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