The Peppermint Kicks - Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum

 

If you haven't heard the lead single, Radio Wam Bam Boom, where have you been. The UK Glam Rock ridden affair with a hint of Cheap Trick has been one of the great recent listens and offers large hints of what to expect from The Peppermint Kicks' second album.

The collaboration of Dan Kopko of Watts and Sal Baglio of Amplifier Heads brings out the best of both and these are two of my favourite bands, so I was gonna always like it. The album is very 70s, pre punk, all Chinn and Chapman and sing along choruses aided by big riffs and solos.

The album is very 1974 at times, but you also cannot help compare it to early Cheap Trick, both vocally and Guitar wise. Yet the pair are not afraid to move away from the template. For instance Shangri La could be Smokie, slowed down, more Mellow with a killer Guitar solo.

Lollipop Girl is great Bubblegum, something you might have expected from the likes of Mud on Mickie Most's RAK label. Speed Racer is so Glam with the riff even reminding you of Sweet's Little Willy. Gigantor is more Pop Rock and underlines a general Brit feel to proceedings.

Out Of The Trashcan Into Your Heart is built around a great Power Pop rhythm section, particularly the drum track. Yet the closer, We Did It All For Rock & Roll is anthemic with a riff that isn't a million miles away from something of London Calling and a big solo, the song is a New Wave Classic.

There is a tongue in cheek feel, but also Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum makes you yearn for new albums from both Watts and Amplifier Heads. Totally fun, Totally engaging. Music really should always be this happy. A cracking wade through nostalgia, but an also leaving you with a realisation how Glam Rock still stands up now.

You can listen to and buy the album from Rumbar here. It is available on CD and as a download.

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Fortitude Valley - Part Of The Problem, Baby

 

Fortitude Valley have appeared three times on the Listening To This Week Playlist over the past few months, more than anyone else since its inception. That is a testament to the quality of the singles and so you know that the album is gonna be a winner and it is with balls on.

There's no front loading here, those three singles are spread across the album, Oceans Apart closing it. You do realise that The Beths finally have a competitor. Our mates at Add To Want List mentioned The Gogo's, but Laura Kovic's sugar sweet vocal gets close to the likes of Rachel Sweet.

It does vitalise the senses, particularly in the denseness and vindictiveness in the UK. Brownie Points too from us for being from Durham in the North Of England. However, the album does sound very American at times. Interesting that the two female led bands that threaten to dominate the States are not from the US.

This is Guitar Pop of the highest quality. Melodic, riff led with big memorable choruses, jaunty without ever being sickly. The songs are also beautifully performed and arranged, the four band members all add their parts wonderfully.

The Guitar parts are very inventive and the rhythm section holds everything together magnificently, happy to lead or stay in the background. The focus will rightly be on Kovic and she adores the cover, but this is a band effort throughout, bringing a spotlight to her songwriting.

The whole album is a sort of antidote to the likes of Garbage, showing that Indie doesn't have to be all about noise. Unusually, I haven't mentioned any of the songs as any of these 10 beauties will be adored. The world needs more joy, Fortitude Valley provide it with Spades.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a download.

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