Vanity Mirror - Super Fluff Forever

 

Today's 3 Reviews stay current and new, but also hark back to over a decade ago when we began our rise. We were much more of a place for Power Pop then. This second of the three is a cracking reminder of how great the genre is, particularly when it mixes Guitar Pop, Pop Rock and Psych Pop. This album encompasses all.

Vanity Mirror is a collaboration between Toronto's Brett Randall and Los Angeles Drummer, Johnny Toomey. Randall lays down all the songs and sends the songs to Toomey for the drums and it works really well, the drums suit the songs perfectly.

The first three songs sum up the directions perfectly. White Butterfly is wonderful Psych Pop with a hint of David Watts, the type that most regularly floats my boat. The Apple Tree is pure Badfinger head to toe and Anna M is very Andrew Gold in construction and sound. Great Piano Pop!

 Calling the album Power Pop may be a stretch as it progresses. The more Mellow songs are Piano led, the upbeat ones Guitar led. But when the two mix, it is absolute fireworks. many of the mellow songs are aided by a Great Guitar solo.

Jack Of All Trades is slice of Garage Rock and UK New Wave with a little Punk vibe. Plasict Heart goes all 80s New Wave and Painted Blue may be the best thing on display. McCartney Pop of the highest ordered, very late 60s that adds flute and a wonderful Ringo like Drum Pattern.

The whole album is beautifully presented. Unexpectedly, the slower songs grabbed me most. I never thought they would after hearing such an Electric opener. Super Fluff Forever is a splendid reminder of how melody stays with you longest. This is a cracking listen.

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

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Vanity Mirror - Puff

 

June, thus far, has been a month of thunderstorm problems, server collapses and internet outage, so at last being back to some sort of normality, there is a backlog of reviews to be completed and where better to start than with some Psych Pop. There is no genre that lifts my mood more. 

This is especially so, when the album is as wonderful as this. Vanity Mirror hit the spot beautifully, transporting you back to the 60s with a delightful mix of Toytown, Pop and splendid gentle, at times Baroque, joyfulness.

The duo of Brent Randall and Johnny Toomey use every trick in the book to transport you back to the period, as you would expect from two Electric Looking Glass members. Toy piano, rapid drum fills, psych guitar fills, flute, harpsichord, cello etc are all used to great effect. 

Puff is an atmospheric ramble through Toytown and  related or associated sounds, all mood and melody. The album is very reminiscent of the likes of Timebox, Idle Race, Emitt Rhodes, The Lemon Pipers and Sparks first two albums.

Talkin Walkie-Talkie Rice Crispies Blues goes all hippy trippy in a Tyrannosaurus Rex sort of way, whilst (I First Saw You There On) Tinpot Lane is so Idle Race with a UK Beat Riff. Tuesday's News puts one foot in 70s with its Pop Rock feel.

How I Learned Something is achingly beautiful, with the Pop bursting to get out. These pop sensibilities are most relevant. Instrumentally, the album excels, but it is the vocals that directs the album. Many aim at this sort of album, few get it spot on. Vanity Mirror have.

You can listen to and buy the album here.  Oh and yes you CAN also buy it on vinyl.

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