“In recent years there has been an explosion of great power pop in the underground, occasionally raising its head slightly above the parapet. In the States, White Reaper have been slowly making waves, while bands like The Whiffs and The Reflectors keep going from strength to strength. In the UK though, there is one band that seems to be making real strides: The Speedways.
“On their new album, the reverence to Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello is more than palatable as they weave fantastic licks and riffs across pure power pop harmonies. The final result is a truly infectious album to keep on going back to…and I have done, again and again.
“An early highlight in this mould is the great ‘Secret Secrets’, it’s the moment when they masterfully pull together all the requisite ingredients to create something special, something that should be heard across the digital airwaves. However, it’s on ‘A Drop In The Ocean’ where they really mine their heroes, a romantic powerpop ballad worthy of Basher’s own hand.
“They ramp things up more on tracks like ‘A Song Called Jayne’ and ‘A Lie Called Love’, putting them more in line with the current crop of power pop purveyors, and something more akin to those classics from The Knack with its whipcrack beats and groove.
“They drop things back at the start of ‘Shoulda Known’ before drifting in with a Tom Petty-like melody, reaffirming clearly their roots.
“Across the whole album, they drench the songs in 70’s guitar sounds and harmony with pure abandon while also, on the title track, bringing in a funkier 80’s pop vibe…and even a sly wink across the fourth wall with their question of what happened to love and understanding, only cutting out the peace.
“On ‘Talk Of The Town’, they have crafted a record that, had they been playing 40 years ago, would have seen them snapped up without a doubt by Stiff. Anyone into their pure unadulterated power pop should have this album in their collection.
“The Speedways have returned with a great album that needs only three steps for the listener. Lather…rinse…repeat!” – LouderThanWar.com
Here to hip you to a brand new release on the Kool Kat label – MARCH 31 – “TALK OF THE TOWN” by THE SPEEDWAYS!
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