(November 2009) The great British pop music culture found itself losing its suburban simple pop
cuts of the late 60’s early 70’s. Those that did ultimately find themselves
buried well beneath the surface and subsequently forgotten, have been reunited
on this series, which takes a joyous skip through the lost archives of the
obscure British psych.
The themes are bright and airy, there’s nothing to deep or meaningful to be
found here, just a bouncy and light hearted flashback of pop rock to jive to,
with added sweetener, and much of the same flavour when considering the dominant
and samey vocals, despite the release featuring twenty different artists. Most
tracks, in isolation, are a pleasant enough listen however.
Mighty Joe Young’s offering is a spritely track that comes across very much a classic
short and sweet sing-along. Earthy acoustic drums and a lively bass line
emulating elements of Cream’s White Room. Svensk’s “Dream Magazine” has a fetching organ
introduction and a grounded sound throughout. Tim Andrews’s “Sad Simon Lives Again” is introduced with
strings, the sad melody providing a fitting accompaniment to such lyrics, before
the violin melody provides a suitable lift during its chorus. Tony Fabian’s “Girl Of The Night”
gives meaning to the often-referenced punchy bass line.
Overall, none of the cuts on here are injected with any vivid imagery; it’s more
of a parental guidance take on historic pop culture that went relatively
unnoticed.
There are no real hidden gems to be uncovered, and no blinding moments. What is
does do, is offer those who want to – a chance to dust down and restore some
organic, mod flavoured easy listening in a moment of nostalgia.
Largely a lesson of historical weighting, identifying those roots that never
really ran very deep, having got tired of the confines to obscurity, but unable
to find a justified place in our music culture.
Piccadilly Sunshine: Part 1 is out now on Past & Present. [Purchase
]
