Trolley - A Carnival Of Grey And White

 

I was talking to a friend about the dying days of Anything Should Happen. He thought I was through with the net, I did too. So he was surprised at my return. I stopped ASH because of tiredness of the Facebook groups I was in being full of participants telling everyone how crap all new music was. So IDHAS became a reaction, covering solely New Music, but with an ability to compare the new to the old.

I mention this because one of the very first reviews on the fledgling I Don't Hear A Single was Trolley's Caught In The Darkness. I can't take credit for Trolley, that was Power Pop Overdose's Curt Vance. One of the few still around from that time. He provides similar support to the knew that here does.

I never thought it would take 9 years to get another Trolley album, but tragedy intervened. Recording this follow up was halted in 2021 by the death of Mike Perotto. As part of the process of getting over Mike's death. Paul J Wall and Terry Hackbarth have meticulously finished the album, staying faithful to those sessions and the three decade of the band.

This is great Power Pop, still rooted in 60s Guitar Pop that strays into the Pop Rock of the 70s. The Psych Pop is less pronounced and the 60s sounding synths a little more abundant, but the whole album lyrically feels like a heartfelt tribute to Perotto.

There's even the addition of Brass on a couple of the songs which adds to the enjoyment rather than feeling gratuitous. The title track opens proceedings with a Telstar feel to the synth run, it could have been a Joe Meek production.

That is bookmarked by the closer, Since The Drugs Wore Off. A song that is dark lyrically, moody and magnificent 70s Pop Rock in touch with the New Wave, all to a Power Pop Drum Beat. In between you witness the Jangle Pop, almost Merseybeat, of As Long As I Can Find You.  Radio Silence has some wonderful Psych Pop Guitar to enjoy.

Starlight could be a Show Song if it weren't for the 60s overtone in the harmonies and the wonderful Brass. Leaving You Behind is great UK New Wave and the Psych Pop of Shiny Cars melts my heart. The Face you Brazened is Bowie-esque, splendidly moody and melancholic. All in all this is a great tribute and an album stands up in its own right.

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

.....................