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If you don’t believe in ghosts the
Vinyl Kings will change your mind. Many bands repeat the past
and that’s OK as long as they’re upfront about what they’re
trying to do and don’t deny their influences. The Vinyl Kings
have only released two albums but they come across as an unapologetic
marriage of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and ELO (with a little
of Lynne’s first band The Idle Race thrown in for good measure
as well as his second band with Roy Wood the Move). Like the
La’s the Vinyl Kings want to recapture some of the music of
the past, distill its magic and create something new with
it. Although their first album “Little Trip” isn’t 100% successful
at carving out a unique sound for the band themselves it does
suggest that this sort of alchemy might work wonders for them
as it did the La’s and Oasis. With 13 slaps of early to mid-60’s
rock the band manage to convince of their intentions immediately
with the Lennonesque “A Little Trip” the title trackwith its
use of sitar and horns combines the whole of Sgt. Pepper in
one track. Although the band can frequently sound like Neil
Innes’ parody band The Rutles (particularly on “Chocolate
Cake” which minus the middle eight reminds me a bit of “Cheese
and Onions”) the resulting album is sincere and honest enough
to come across as a tribute to everything paisley from the
60’s era. “Chocolate Cake” may share the same name as the
minor hit for Crowded House but beyond that it’s a memorable
song all it’s own. ***
Like Jellyfish this isn’t a matter
of spot the influences but of marveling at a talented band
trying to recreate a bygone era and celebrating its successes.
The entire band contributes to the album although songwriter
Leo dominates much of the album. The playing is always top
notch and you can always hear a devilish smile underneath
every track. Clearly this is a band that’s having fun with
their music even if it does mimic others. ***
Final Words: While there’s nothing
earth shattering or original about the style here that’s not
the point; if you came to the party expecting it to be something
other than a costume party that you’re dressed incorrectly
and need to go home. This is certainly a worthwhile listen
particularly for fans of the mid-60’s era. Perhaps Neil Innes
should look these guys up.
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