Before Pop Rock became an all encompassing genre, the sound reflected a great 70s style big production that consisted of extensive vocal harmonies, giant arrangements, killer choruses and a general easy listening that edged towards Soft Rock.
The Duskwhales are a trio that offer up music that fits that description perfectly. Reminiscent of the great UK 70s albums, but also very West Coast Melodic Rock. One listen to the title track will tell you all you need to know about them, the arrangement is massive, the performance wonderful.
This is the sort of music that used to be laughed at by the cool kids, the same kids who adore it now and have "always" done so. Songs have the kitchen sink thrown at them and so are never drab, the instrument cupboard is raided which allows rich instrumentation including strings and Brass.
Instrumentally, the songs are splendid and rounded off by vocals that recorded and layered to perfection. The Duskwhales do smooth and mellow incredibly well, but songs are never twee. You will have already heard (You Only Love Me) When You're High on a recent Listening To This Week and that is maybe the jauntiest Pop on show here.
Vocally, the band remind me of City Boy without the rocky parts, but the trio also create a path of their own. Never really fashionable, but adored by album buyers, the genre has sadly been neglected for a good while and these three could very well lead a revival.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a download.
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I love this sound. Reminiscent of The Explorer's Club, there's a purity to their harmony lost in pop music outside the Cowsills, the Osmonds, the Beach Boys, Queen, and very few others. You can hear their smiles within each chorus.
ReplyDeleteSome might relegate easy listening jangle pop into a bin with Tony Orlando and Lawrence Well but this rises above mediocrity. I will say I don't think the band has recorded their personal "Bridge Over Troubled Water / The Boxer" yet. I'm willing to go along on their ride and await that trip and, in the meanwhile, I'm feeling groovy.