June, thus far, has been a month of thunderstorm problems, server collapses and internet outage, so at last being back to some sort of normality, there is a backlog of reviews to be completed and where better to start than with some Psych Pop. There is no genre that lifts my mood more.
This is especially so, when the album is as wonderful as this. Vanity Mirror hit the spot beautifully, transporting you back to the 60s with a delightful mix of Toytown, Pop and splendid gentle, at times Baroque, joyfulness.
The duo of Brent Randall and Johnny Toomey use every trick in the book to transport you back to the period, as you would expect from two Electric Looking Glass members. Toy piano, rapid drum fills, psych guitar fills, flute, harpsichord, cello etc are all used to great effect.
Puff is an atmospheric ramble through Toytown and related or associated sounds, all mood and melody. The album is very reminiscent of the likes of Timebox, Idle Race, Emitt Rhodes, The Lemon Pipers and Sparks first two albums.
Talkin Walkie-Talkie Rice Crispies Blues goes all hippy trippy in a Tyrannosaurus Rex sort of way, whilst (I First Saw You There On) Tinpot Lane is so Idle Race with a UK Beat Riff. Tuesday's News puts one foot in 70s with its Pop Rock feel.
How I Learned Something is achingly beautiful, with the Pop bursting to get out. These pop sensibilities are most relevant. Instrumentally, the album excels, but it is the vocals that directs the album. Many aim at this sort of album, few get it spot on. Vanity Mirror have.
You can listen to and buy the album here. Oh and yes you CAN also buy it on vinyl.
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