Genres are for direction only, but where do you start with Canterbury's Spygenius? The quartet are seven albums in, a back catalogue to die for, but they are still hard to nail down. Many call them Power Pop, but there is much more depth than that. Others note, their ease with UK Beat, but again that is too simplistic.
I've always thought of them as Psych Pop, a genre that allows experimentation and lyrical adeptness, but doesn't forget the melody. There is again much more to the band than this, but Psych Pop with the emphasis on Pop does seem to be a good place to start.
What Spygenius are about though is community. They have built their reputation on this, celebrating others, sharing gigs and building their own place in the musical world. If there isn't a scene, start one, seems to be their ethic.
It is hard in this day and age to make an impact, bands want to get noticed, not for the money, there is none, but don't want a "like" and then forever forgotten. It is about bringing that scene to more listeners and the Spygenius scene stretches across the UK, Europe and the States.
So for the band's 8th album, a different approach has been taken to achieve this. They have started a new label with the Excellent Caper Clowns called Canute Records here. The Danish outfit are close friends and allies with the Danish band, who are more Pop associated with Pop Rock.
Plus, what direction do you go in for your 8th album? A tricky question for a band well into their second decade. The answer is simple, rhizomania! keeps what they are known for and expands into other areas. The album is noticeable in embracing both Guitar Pop and experimental depth.
Watch Like No One's Watching is a great opener, Poptastic and that and Horizon Shine benefit from the joint vocals of Peter Watts and Bass Player, Ruth Rogers. The latter is fine Jangle Pop. Rogers takes up more of a lead vocal on Tre-biwt that meanders more and adds a big slab of Brass. She also is a half of the locked in rhythm section with Drummer, Alan Cannings.
Peter Watts remains an extra-ordinary songwriter, front man and Guitarist and the keyboards of Matt Byrne take the bands into special areas. Throughout, the album there is the lyrical with associated with the four.
The Mr Blue-Sky Thinking is incredibly jaunty with Banjo and Barrel Piano, the instrumental is in contrast to the biting lyrics. But Is It Powerpop is built on an addictive riff and a killer chorus and again gets across its message.
My Toxic Pal is hilarious and full on Music Hall. Cnut is top notch 60s Beat and in Beachcomber, Watts sings as though his life depends on it, superbly deep with an instrumental outro that thrills. All four sing, all four play and all four deserve your undivided attention.
rhizomania! is released on 3 October. The full review will be available on release.
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