English psychedelic rock band St Johns Wood Affair turned some heads when their released their self-titled debut album in 2023. Had their members crawled out of the woodwork where they had been hiding since the late Sixties? Their analog approach touched a nerve, but could they do it again, now that the cat is out of the bag? It turns out they can and then some. The rather unimaginatively named album 2 has all the swagger and rawness - they call it happy accident themselves - that made rock such a powerful force.
Band leader Keith Smart must have listening to Traffic and The Move religiously, and maybe someone also handed him a copy of smart pop band Spygenius' sprawling Man On The Sea. This band can switch between pastoral (Secret Garden) and industrial (Follow Me To The Stars) without missing a beat. For those who are wondering if they sneaked in a Steppenwolf cover, they didn't. Magic Carpet Ride is brand new and a fun trip to the heavens to boot. Is 2 retro? Hell, yes, but standing on the shoulders of giants makes for a great view.
St Johns Wood Affair:
Keith Smart: vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, loops, Glockenspiel & keyboards (on Dream Farm)
Francine Smart: backing vocals, linear sampler and additional percussion
Anne Whittet: keyboards
Carlton Jarvis: drums
Adrian Hillier: bass, backing vocals
Special guests:
Ben Hillier: drums on Hoping On The Train in Vain, Centre of Your Universe, Memory Lane & Dream Farm
Ellie Clapcott: spoken introduction on Magic Carpet Ride
2 is released via Think Like A Key (CD, digital). Release date: May 23.
Tracks:- Centre Of Your Universe
- Follow Me To The Stars
- Can You See Me?
- Hoping On The Train In Vain
- Magic Carpet Ride
- Memory Lane
- Secret Garden
- TV Eyes
- Dream Farm
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