Listening to this Flathead album, my mind was cast back to my initial review of The Speedways' Just Another Regular Summer. I knew Matt Julian as former Guitarist with The Breakdowns and The Speedways album was intended to be a one off Power Pop album, but the album took off, boosted by a further reissue and Julian and The Speedways sparked off a new movement.
My initial review from nearly 7 years (count 'em) ago is here. That movement continues to grow, particularly in Europe and lately in the States. I mention this, because Flathead are the latest to join the wave and the Marseille five piece's self titled album is a cracker.
It has all the chops of the scene, but sounds much more UK 1979 and also gets a little crunchier at times. Everybody Will Survive is probably the best example of this. A real New Wave, slightly Mod feel, is enhanced by a blistering Guitar solo.
The Power Pop is great, both Action Man and All I Want sound like something from the American second wave of the genre. The former is fast scuzzy, almost Garage Rock sounding, the latter is all harmony vocal led Guitar Pop. Every Nights In My Arms even mixes Merseybeat with a Little Rock and Roll. Just over half way through the Organ signals a much looser riffathon for a while.
However, amongst the melodic Power Pop, there a sense of urgency and at times this debut can be more Power than Pop. It certainly fits into the new noisier Power Pop of the past couple of years and you sense that this could be the direction that band take in years to come.
Big riffs, memorable choruses and a rhythm section to die for make this one of the more interesting and catchy listens that you will get this year. It is certainly a really impressive affair. Maybe France will be the new Spain.
You can listen to and buy the download here. You can also buy the album on vinyl from here, here or here.
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