Website [Release date 22.05.24]
Barbara are Henry & John Tydeman, songwriting brothers from Brighton and have played music together since they were children.
They started the band proper in 2020 and decided on the name ‘Barbara’ because they wanted a person’s name that evoked the 1970s, as they are greatly influenced by ‘70s music – despite the fact that they weren’t born then!
Their music is produced by Paul Steel who The Guardian have described as ‘the second coming of Brian Wilson’. Barbara are no strangers to the live setting either having supported the likes of the Divine Comedy, Haircut 100 and most recently Paul Weller.
‘Pretty Straight Guy’ is one of the best pop songs you’ll hear this year. Mixture of ELO, 70s disco, Mika and the Feeling with their own pop magic weaved over the top. Loving the guitar riff and strings on this one.
Luckily ‘Grandad’ isn’t a cover of Clive Dunn’s 70′s hit, but rather a witty take on the generational conflict between grandchildren and grandads. Those vocal harmonies are a thing of beauty. ‘Enduring Love’ is a slower number, complete with horns and woodwind backing, whilst ‘Waiting Outside Alone’ is a jaunty number, with shades of 10CC and the Beach Boys on those harmonies.
Like the Divine Comedy, Barbara like to fit in various references to literature and popular culture as ‘Master Narrative’ highlights to good effect. If you recall Harper’s Bizarre (the 60′s musical version) and the 70′s Toffee Crisp advert, then the song referenced on here will be very familiar!
‘Mein Fräulein’ was released as the lead track/single off this EP and what a joy it is! You’ve got a bit of 20′s/30′s flashback (a la Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer less the rap), a chorus made for radio and a wonderfully sunny melody. Do you get the feeling this reviewer is a fan yet?!
The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon says of Barbara – “They are so up my street…really tight songwriting, very poptastic!”. He’s not wrong and we all need to be more like Neil. So, grab a copy and listen to this gloriously poptastic EP that will leave you in a much happier place after listening to it. Bands like Barbara are the reason this reviewer still loves lisenting to and discovering new music after twenty plus years of reviewing. Fan-blummin-tastic power pop bliss! ****1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
November 2024
Friday 8th HOVE, THE BRUNSWICK
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