Apparently, it was around 2019, although my memory is sketchy. It seems a lifetime ago and the scene seemed much smaller, although it probably wasn't, it was my scene that was much smaller. I Don't Hear A Single was very Power Pop active then and it was via that scene that my good friend Keith Klingensmith introduced me to The Vapour Trails as he was about to release their debut album on his label, Futureman Records. The band caused a buzz, although from Aberdeen, they sounded more Glasgow and certainly more West Coast of America. The splendid Beth Dobson also picked up on them, a lady much missed in these parts who has gone off to be Vincent Van Gogh whilst keeping her ears intact.
Darrin Lee was also in our sphere via Beth and since then we have also become good friends. His Subjangle and JanglePopHub adventures run parallel to what IDHAS does and we share the same weird and warped sense of humour. Somewhat unfairly, The Vapour Trails gained a reputation for West Coast Jangle and though that was obviously true, it somehow overshadowed all the other musical directions that they were equally adept at. Kevin Robertson's first solo album away from the band, Sundown's End, underlined that point. A great album that revealed many of his hidden talents whilst being incredibly cohesive.
Now we have his third solo album, produced expertly by Nick Bertling, a name you should be more than familiar with now seeing as he seems to have been on some of the most relevant albums of the past 12 months. Magic Spells Abound is again released on Subjangle and Futureman and it is an awesome listen. It is as though, all the stars were aligned to enhance Robertson's growing experience to result in one of the best albums that you will hear this year. This is a Singer Songwriter album of the highest order, equal to those classic 70s albums of the genre. Yes there is some Jangle Pop here, why wouldn't there be? It is what he is noted for after all, but this does feel like an even further departure than that solo debut.
If anything, at times this sounds more Folk at times. That Jangle that is here has been adapted to other genres, magnificently so. Only Autumn Brings compares to those Vapour Trails albums and this even concentrates far more on vocal harmony. Candlestick Morning contrasts a Gentle Psych feel with something more Al Stewart. The Crest Of A Dream is beautifully arranged resulting in a Folk like dream, very Aquarius like 60s. It even gets a little jazzy. Wander On is top notch Power Pop and I suppose that you could call Sunset, Neo Psych or even Prog, it is an outstanding arrangement and has a lovely weeping melancholy about it.
As The Crow Flies takes me back to being young and sitting on a riverbank watching the boats going by, a feeling of being out in the open with the only thing to think about was nothing. The arrangement and vocal just surrounds you/ But the real joy here is Equilibrium Blues, an absolute gem of a song, an absolute monster. Prog in feel with heavy hints of Psych and it is something that will absolute captivate you. I expected Magic Spells Abound to be great, but never a s great as this, I certainly didn't expect the magnificent vocal arrangements, particularly the complexity of them. This is an album that is a testament to the beauty and warmth that music can bring to your heart. I am absolutely gobsmacked by the quality. Album Of The Year material? You bet!
You can listen to and buy the album here or here. The physical releases will not be around for long, so don't delay!
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