Somerdale - Let's Get Started

 

When I Don't Hear A Single started in July 2016, it was never meant to be what it has become and I mention this because Somerdale played a big part in our outreach. IDHAS was set up as a reaction to old timers droning on about all new music being crap, but it was only planned to be a weekly post sort of thing highlighting great albums.

Then at the end of the first year, I decided to choose an album of the year. The days of Best 100 Albums were well in the future. I chose two albums as joint Best Of Year, Nick Piunti's Trust Your Instincts and Somerdale's Shake It Maggie. You can read the original reviews here and here. From that point, IDHAS exploded with fans and artists constantly in touch and both defined where we were at that time. 

So I feel that I owe both albums and artists a lot and the return of Somerdale is particularly pleasing for me. The band have also come full circle, having been discovered by Ray Gianchetti at Kool Kat, there is something particularly pleasing to see them return to the label.

In truth, Let's Get Started makes you feel like they've never been away. This is 70s harmonic Pop Rock of the highest order, those original comparisons to 10CC, Jigsaw, Ace, Liverpool Express and Badfinger still stand true.

The band can still do Power Pop as Good Enough more than proves, but often they come across as say The Who if they were on the Not Lame label. Somerdale can also perform a Ballad as well as any Rock band, without it ever sounding forced or necessary as Time Speeds underlines with its mastery of mellowness and its wonderful Guitar track.

Taking You Back is pure UK Glam Rock, you can just envisage the Flares, Platform Boots and Butterfly Collars. There is always a Somerdale Anthem and this time it is saved for the end. Long Way To Go demonstrates how uplifting Pop Rock can be. Much maligned in the past, the genre has a way of lifting the mood with memorable moments.

This time there isn't a song as outstanding as Excuse Me, a song that defines Somerdale and is one of my favourite songs ever. But Lulu comes pretty close to trumping it and is the type of song that band excel at. Great to have this lot back and they had better not leave it so long next time. Let's Get Started can only be denoted as splendid from start to finish.

You can listen to and buy the album here. The CD can be ordered directly from Kool Kat here.

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