The Pretty Flowers - A Company Sleeve

 

A conversation with a friend who I greatly respect, involved him mentioning that he felt that I Don't Hear A Single had gone off track lately, not in a bad way, just that it seemed to have ventured into noisier territory. I don't really see this. IDHAS as always been about what I am listening to at any time and so it isn't just about Guitar Pop Rock.

However, this review of the new album from Los Angeles's The Pretty Flowers is I suppose more in the territory that IDHAS is known for. I loved the debut album (reviewed here) and after an album of covers, this is the quartet's second album of original songs and it is great.

The band specialise in a brand of rocked up Power Pop with big hints of Indie Rock and even Psych Pop and do it really well. Choruses are big, riffs hook you and all is beautifully arranged and performed. A little loose at times, which adds to the enjoyment, they know what they are about and the results are ace.

Hit Nothing is great Brit Pop, early Brit Pop when the Manc influence on the Guitar scene was still buzzing, until Oasis starting raiding every band's back catalogue and it houses an awesome guitar solo. Another Way To Lose is nearer to Slacker Rock, but with a big hint of Psych Pop as the song progresses.

Agendaless is moodier but built around some amazing Guitar Riffs that underline how much the band Rock up what they do. Doughboy is very early Weezer with added fuzz and a killer rhythm track. Sit Right With You is great Power Pop again with a killer riff.

Honeylight mixes 90s College Rock with The Replacements and Bucket Beach is looser Indie that retains a Power Pop Drum beat. Baby Food is a 100 mph with Superchunk overtones. At times A Company Sleeve sounds more than a little Guided By Voices with a big budget, but there are far more hooks.

This is essentially a Guitar album, a melodic Guitar album though. The riffs are everywhere, the solos get you playing Air Guitar and the complete joy of the listen just enthralls you. If this is what people think IDHAS is about, I will more than settle for that.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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The Pretty Flowers - Why Trains Crash

Los Angeles's The Pretty Flowers have been gaining a growing reputation in the lead up to their debut album. Regular comparisons to Superchunk and The Replacements seem both fair and wide of the mark. Yes they can get down and dirty, but there are far more hooks and choruses here than you may have been led to expect.

Electrical is all riffs that can be compared to The Cult or Post Punk UK / New Wave. Chip My Paint starts with an ace riff and then romps into Australian Territory like a more melodic early version of The Church or a rocked up Go-Betweens.






Temple Of Gunpowder could be Robert Pollard on a bigger budget, Sitting Duck is Liam Gallagher like in it's sneer. Corner Of The Stars is all Glasgow Jangle. Although you can see the US Connection, think of The Strokes with better lyrics and melodies, there is something UK about the feel of many of the songs. The stand out is Some Girls, a splendid Power Pop joy.

I am blown away by Why Trains Crash. I expected Fuzz Rock and got it, but there is far more depth, far more hooks and riffs aplenty. This is a fine debut album. Don't expect any slow songs, it would just stop the roll they are on. Highly Recommended!






You can listen to and buy the album here.