Triptides:
Predictions:
360 Degree/Stroll On:
Out 4th November 2013:
★★★★
Their previous album 'Sun Pavilion' was as masterful a debut as you could get - now for that tricky second set. Don't panic though - Triptides still have a firm grip on their surf-boards, square sunglasses and Byrds records as they skip their way towards a hazy satisfying conclusion on 'Predictions'.
In getting there, the Bloomington outfit stop off at numerous reference-points - there's the aforementioned Byrds jangle present throughout this album, a spot of The Sneetches, Dream Syndicate and The Dbs here and there and the merest hint of modern psychedelia courtesy of Revolving Paint Dream, early Primal Scream and the more recent Tambourines.
Fully intact are Triptides' same pop sensibilities that made the debut such fun, although out-and-out classics are in shorter supply here - this is a more relaxed and thoughtful set, one that requires sunsets rather than sunrises. The opener 'Set You Free' is a rousing introduction while 'Another Shore' continues the uplifting theme even further with harmonies and Rickenbacker-style riffing - it'd make a great single if such things existed.
Sadly they don't, unless Stroll On plan to dig deep and invest in a vinyl limited edition for it - there is one for the album, apparently - or even a 7" for 'Couch Surfer', a true beach-bum's anthem. The quality continues with 'Lucidly Dreaming', a reflective mid-tempo song that rounds off the first half of this album in triumphant style.
And then comes the album's most bloody marvellous ditty, 'Night Owl'. Simplistic in melody (it reminds me of The Monkees a bit) and chirpy in mood, for my money this little belter should be nearer the beginning of the album, even if it does become embroiled in a bit of heads down sub-psychobilly thrashing towards the (all too quick) fade. The middle portion of this album is certainly the most important, methinks.
Overall, Triptides still sound like a band on a mission with a reasonable canon of swirling jangle-rock tunes, many of which are whistleable, a few forgettable. Hey, no band's perfect. Predictions is blissful, charming and rewarding for those hankering after those glory days of early Creation Records pop trailblazers.
Predictions:
360 Degree/Stroll On:
Out 4th November 2013:
★★★★
In getting there, the Bloomington outfit stop off at numerous reference-points - there's the aforementioned Byrds jangle present throughout this album, a spot of The Sneetches, Dream Syndicate and The Dbs here and there and the merest hint of modern psychedelia courtesy of Revolving Paint Dream, early Primal Scream and the more recent Tambourines.
Fully intact are Triptides' same pop sensibilities that made the debut such fun, although out-and-out classics are in shorter supply here - this is a more relaxed and thoughtful set, one that requires sunsets rather than sunrises. The opener 'Set You Free' is a rousing introduction while 'Another Shore' continues the uplifting theme even further with harmonies and Rickenbacker-style riffing - it'd make a great single if such things existed.
Sadly they don't, unless Stroll On plan to dig deep and invest in a vinyl limited edition for it - there is one for the album, apparently - or even a 7" for 'Couch Surfer', a true beach-bum's anthem. The quality continues with 'Lucidly Dreaming', a reflective mid-tempo song that rounds off the first half of this album in triumphant style.
And then comes the album's most bloody marvellous ditty, 'Night Owl'. Simplistic in melody (it reminds me of The Monkees a bit) and chirpy in mood, for my money this little belter should be nearer the beginning of the album, even if it does become embroiled in a bit of heads down sub-psychobilly thrashing towards the (all too quick) fade. The middle portion of this album is certainly the most important, methinks.
Overall, Triptides still sound like a band on a mission with a reasonable canon of swirling jangle-rock tunes, many of which are whistleable, a few forgettable. Hey, no band's perfect. Predictions is blissful, charming and rewarding for those hankering after those glory days of early Creation Records pop trailblazers.
