After featuring two singles on the Listening To This Week Playlist around the same time as discovering that long time Anything Should Happen favourite, Paul Steel was producing them, we fell in love with the Tydeman Brothers.
Like Steel, they are from Brighton, although this may surprise you as they sound more like a 60s West Coast Pop affair, although at times the Englishness breaks through, particularly on Mein Fraulein, a song that chops and changes wonderfully.
Recorded as a five piece, built around Henry's Piano Pop playing and the gentle engaging vocal of John, the arrangements are spellbinding. At times 70s Pop Rock breaks out, certainly on the smooth as silk, Pretty Straight Guy.
It could be John Miles playing the Guitar on Waiting Outside Alone, instrumentally it could be something from the Rebel album. Barbara aren't afraid of embracing Soft Rock, especially on Master Narrative which is very Andrew Gold, Lane Steinberg even.
In the wrong hands, a song like Grandad could be cringingly twee, but in these hands, it is charming, theatrical even and would make quite a show song. The main take is that mellow can be so engaging, particularly when it is arranged and produced as well as this.
The songs change directions at will with a real cleverness that never distracts. Happy Days is great jaunty Pop that revels in its all round joy. Maybe a little mellower than we are used to, but an absolute winner. Prepare to be delighted!
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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