The Jellybricks – Some Kind Of Lucky (Wicked Cool Records)

The Jellybricks – Some Kind Of Lucky (Wicked Cool Records)

Signed to Wicked Cool seems to be the seal of quality any band needs because I’ve not heard a dud yet but that’s not to say this Rock and Roll lark is a piece of piss either.  It ain’t.  Churning out quality tunes is something bands can do if they work hard enough but not everyone can make it good enough that other people will jump on board. Guitars, bass, and drums with a layer of strong harmonies might well be the vital ingredients but you still need the tunes and I’m happy to say The Jellybricks have got a record full of em. The fact that they’ve been around for twenty years means nothing maybe they just needed that break and maybe Wicked Cool is that break.

Starting with ‘Corner Of My Eye’ sees the band take the basics of guitar, bass and drums and a collection of Cars albums and maybe Big Star would have featured in their collective collections?  It’s polished for sure and there is an air of familiarity about ‘Brooklyn’ which just happens to be a very decent tune again sticking to the formula and having a strong chorus with plenty of light in the harmonies and energy in that solo -top tun.

‘Some Kind Of Lucky’ is the lighter side of the Posies whereas ‘Mrs. Misery’ is a sprightly little number that would have fitted in well with the more energetic tunes from Gaslight Anthem with a hint of Replacements (but only a hint) I like it so far its got energy and flows really well.

It’s a strange thing that a band this decent would never have flown across my radar until now.  ‘Faith’ has got radio appeal and would do well I’m sure of it like a latter-day Soul Asylum. I would say this album is very up in a happy and confident kinda way from top to bottom if you dig any of the bands I have name-checked then the chances are there is something on here that you will enjoy and if not you’ll be smiling anyway it’s so feelgood your jaw will ache.  they even find the time to turn to token ballad into a beaming ray of sunshine as the title track and last number puts a decent full stop on a really impressive record.  The Jellybricks might be a new one on me but it won’t be the last no doubt about it. Power Pop tastic!

Buy ‘Some Kind Of Lucky’ Here

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Author: Dom Daley

Richard And The Young Lions -Volume 1 (Wicked Cool Records)

Richard And The Young Lions -Volume 1 (Wicked Cool Records)

Dom Daley.

A debut album that took fifty-one years to make?  No, it’s not Axl Rose and his follow up to the last Guns n Roses album.  Coming out of New Jersey in the mid 60’s and having a hit with the album opener ‘Open Up Your Door’ it’s really taken over half a decade to finally release this album which has to be some long game they were playing and the McWherter brothers would be all over this for their Guinness book.

I guess the question most of us are thinking is is it dated? Well considering in many places its considered cool and hip to be “Retro”  but fifty-one years is mental!

 

Judging by the songs I find it a bit mad to be fair because the opener is quality and then one after another the songs hit you and whilst they use organs and handclaps aplenty and the melodies are often quite “Hip” they also sound quite fresh to be fair.’Action Woman’ is great and full of vibrancy ‘Hurt By Love’ does have a keyboard break that would make Ray Manzarek blush.

to be fair they are rockin’ out on the likes of ‘Dig We Must’ the Chesterfield Kings and Fuzztones have done extremely well plying their trade from the same pool as this.  ‘Once Upon A Smile’ sounds fantastic and the playing is exceptional and gives me goosebumps.  for the final two tracks, we have original versions of ‘Nasty’ which to be fair does sound dated and the album closer is ‘You Can Make It’ complete with church bells chiming out is pure 60’s gold dust.  with great sleeve notes from Lenny Kaye this album is a triumph and its easy to see how Steve Van Zandt is such a superfan its a brilliant story but would be pure Hollywood if it wasn’t for some great music which has prevailed through all these years so all I can do is tell you that if you like a bit of Garage rock n roll then you simply have to check this out it’ll make you smile and warm the cockles of your heart.  Just hear the Lions roar its a beautiful thing.

 

Buy Here