Album review: LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS – How To Make Friends By Telephone

Big Stir Records/Bandcamp [Release date 08.11.24]

Librarians With Hickeys are an indie pop rock duo consisting of Ray Carmen (vocals, guitars, drums) and Mike Crooker (vocals, bass, organ, piano, keys). They released their debut album in 2020 and this is album number three. For a duo they produce an big sound, especially in the harmony vocals and guitars.

Opening with the infectious pop rock of ‘Hello Operator’ you know you have a winner on your hands. It has that timeless Byrds approved jangly guitar and vocal harmonies that any lover of Badfinger and Cheap Trick will adore.

‘Listening’ takes this reviewer back to the 80s when first hearing R.E.M.’s ‘Document’. In both cases a timeless piece of indie pop.

‘What Happened to My Heart’ is perhaps another single in waiting, whilst ‘Mirror’ is a neat bit of countrified rock n roll – like Green On Red in their prime. ‘Ship to Shore’ offers something a bit different, not least a guest musician – Joe LaRose on mandolin. Dream pop as some would label it maybe, a darn fine tune in anybody’s book!

‘Everything Will Be Alright’ is a perfect pink-me-up on which to end the album. Could well become an anthem for these turbulent days and months ahead.

Music can be a great comfort in times of turmoil and seems as though this album came along at just the right moment.

Librarians With Hickeys have produced on the year’s ‘must have’ indie pop rock albums. The sheer musical joy leaps out of each song. Forty minutes of musical sunshine awaits the listener. ****

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)