Something a little rockier from the excellent Subjangle label. But worry ye not, there is plenty of Jangle here, it is just louder with a faster pace. Berlin duo, Joe Armstrong and Guido Kreutzmuller. Working with a base od Pop Rock, Brit Pop even, this is a glorious melodic affair.
All In The Mind crosses genres at will. There is what you might expect with the likes of Under The Sun and the Byrds Jangling. But there is also the wonderful Psychedelic Folk of Surveillance Town. The Dropkick Twang of Recognize is different to the Classic 70s Pop Rock of An Hour Or A Day.
Twenty Sixteen edges towards Country Rock, yet The Boy In The Mirror is prime time Brit Pop. Thinkin' Drinkin's could be early Diesel Park West, whilst A Smile For Everyone is piano led and much more atmospheric and melancholic.
There are two songs though that reveal the sheer breadth of what the band are capable of. They Keep Walking On By mixes Psych Pop and UK Beat with a beatnik style vocal and a killer chorus. It is such a mix of styles that works so well.
The opener, Don't Hold Back though is what reveals The Strange Encounters' intent. It is a melodic joy, laid back, part Del Amitri, part Hoodoo Gurus with a driving killer riff and splendid dashes of Organ with a twanging jangling solo.
Sometimes, when you mention Pop Rock, people think of bland boring fairy as it is such an all encompassing genre. This album proves how wrong people can be. It is bursting with harmony, melody and underlines the sheer joy that you can provide.
You can listen to and buy the album here. There are also links there to buy the album on Vinyl or CD.
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Fantastic record, interesting to hear your comparisons. I hear the joyful harmonies of the Jayhawks and the sheer power of Big Star. let it be known you#ll find on this record that which you love. Good music!
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