Phenomenal Cat - Dreamland (Supermarket Is A Warhol Painting)

Samuel Carney is a wonderful lyricist. He builds characters in the way Ray Davies, Andy Partridge and Daman Albarn did. Very British, very reflective in a way that suits multi genres. His takedown of the typical Brit on 21st Century Englishman is truly exceptional. 

He fronts the six piece Phenomenal Cat, who haven't released anything since 2017's Pop Wasteland. The band are described Psychedelic Power Pop, but with two of the members being on Brass you get much more than that.

The lyrical intent is matched beautifully, by the instrumentals. Brass helps of course, but there is Angular Guitar and a Power Pop vibe at times, as much as there is Toytown and UK New Wave and even a cracking synth run.

Seatown® is the most Power Pop, but there is a Brass burst akin to XTC's Smalltown on the chorus. The Little Islanders is part UK New Wave and part Toytown. a celebratory dissing. Everything + Nothing is pure Brit Pop with a stunning arrangement.

Don't Wanna Be Alan No More shows the benefit of the Brass matched to some Killer Guitar work, something that could have easily been On Blur's The Great Esape, but for the splendid Psych towards the end. You've heard the wonderful title track on the IDHAS LTTW Playlist and sounds even better surrounded by the other 7 songs. Very UK 70s Glam Rock instrumentally.

The band are named after a song on The Village Green Preservation Society which fits beautifully with what they do. This is a wonderfully inventive album, a joy to listen to and it will feature heavily in our end of year best albums.

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

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