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

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)