Album review: PUGWASH – Silverlake
Lojinx [Release date 25.11.17]
Pugwash, the brainchild of Thomas Walsh, was a band until earlier this year when he disbanded it and went back to Pugwash being a solo project. However, on this album he finally managed to work with friend and fellow musician Jason Falkner, of Jellyfish fame. Now that in my book is a joining of pop rock greats and expectations were high before listening to this album. I am glad to report that it is all I expected and more! Put it this way if you enjoy the music of the Beatles, ELO, the Beach Boys, Jellyfish and XTC this will be right up your musical street.
First single ‘The Perfect Summer’ opens the album in a glorious fanfare of pop wonder – Jeff Lynne would love a tune like this. You can almost feel the sunshine pouring out of this song.
Musically the album as a whole harks back to the late 60′s and 70′s at times, ‘Easier Done Than Said’ springs to mind, however the modern production makes it very current.
Listen to the music on this one carefully…There is so much going on, the majority played by Jason Falkner and the sound is crystal clear. The slower paced ‘Such A Shame’ is a prime example, Walsh’s soothing vocal backed by an accordion and gentle acoustic guitar strumming, with a jangly guitar riff kicking in midway through. Then we have Jason Falkner adding harmony vocals and slow burning guitar solo on the outro – pop rock/power pop doesn’t get much better than this.
Oh and wait until you hear ‘Autarch’ with it’s strings, big sound and backing vocals straight out of the Beach Boys template. A perfect end to the album, the only downside is there is no more music on the album, so back to the start and enjoy it all over again!
Pugwash have made the best album of their career to date, no mean feat given the previous gems they have recorded. An album to put a smile on your face and a beat in your stride, an absolute joy from start to finish. ****1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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