Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Billy Tibbals - Stay Teenage

 

I was a little confused about this wonderful affair at the moment. The Los Angeles Guitar Pop scene is in rude health at the moment, but Stay Teenage sounded so UK in sound and certainly in Vocal. That was soon explained when I read that Tibbals moved to L.A. from London in 2014.

The influences sound very UK, amazing because the scene here is a bit tumbleweed at present. This is definitely Power Pop, but there are massive Glam Rock vibes and more than a few hints towards the UK Wave. The resulting six songs are splendid.



Tibbals has had the right guiding hand. His debut 7 Inch Single was on Brent Rademaker's Curation label and Stay Teenage is on Chris Robinson's Silver Arrow label. Recorded as a Trio, this is outstanding Riff led stuff.

Best Day I Ever Had is really close to Buzzcocks, yet Hurt So Bad is pure Glam Rock, think Chinn and Chapman meet Sparks 1974 and you have some idea of the joy here. All For You is built on a killer riff, again hints of Island era Sparks on the verse, but a little more American (I still think of Sparks as UK) on the chorus, a bit The Plimsouls and a lot like the more current Uni Boys.



Three In The Morning is a more Pop Rock affair, a little Raspberries maybe, wonderfully orchestral. Foreverland heads into Jangle territory, but Hollywood Baby has everything. Much more American than what else is on show, it is the big Production number. Arranged perfectly with strings and piano complementing the riffs and what a closing Guitar solo.

Stay Teenage caught me completely by surprise. What a talent at such a young age! Splendidly produced and performed, if you like your Guitar and your Pop this will leave you floored. There is a Bolan swagger matched by the 2023 Los Angeles scene's rekindled love of the Guitar. Highly Recommended!



You can listen to Stay Teenage here and buy the album everywhere.


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