When English power-pop band Phenomenal Cat released their sprawling and frankly pretty damn great double album Pop Wasteland in 2017 they soon found out that they sort of had painted themselves into a career. Where to go next after such a well-executed concept album? There were some plans to have a single out in 2021 and then the pandemic put a stop to pretty much anything. Fast forward to 2026 and they are back with Dreamland (Supermarket is a Warhol Painting), again a set of connected songs, albeit a very concise one this time.
Featuring an eclectic cast of characters, who are accompanied by an equally diverse backing as their stories are told with a mix of understanding and wit. Once again the influence of the greatest English band from the 60s, The Kinks, when they entered their imperial period with The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, the sextet makes a case for Joe Average. The most obvious reference to Ray Davies' witticism is 21st Century Englishman, an update and follow-up for "20th Century Man from Muswell Hillbillies Steve's Things (with the riff of Gloria thrown in), is about a guy who likes to fill his house with all kinds of tools he will probably never use.
The album's title track, Dreamland (Supermarket is a Warhol Painting), touches base with psychedelic blues, with the slight "pop" of a barcode scanner as the reassurances for the unnamed protagonist that he is making the right choices, only to rudely awakened by his alarm clock. The band songwriter's Samuel Carney stance on racism is subtle but firm The Little Islanders, being well aware that there are plenty of bigots in the working class who will "only open the front door for your own kind." It is the other side of the coin of the visitors of Seatown®, who tell themselves that they are having a lot of fun on the piers who are in serious need of repair.
Eight short stories in a little over 23 minutes. That is some economic songwriting and superb arranging rolled into one. Where ever they go next is unclear, but it will be very interesting for sure.
Phenomenal Cat:
Samuel Carney: words, vocals, guitars, synths
Mik Peirson: guitars
Natalie Kuroczycki: bass
Ben Day: drums, felt tips
Dan Whitehouse: trumpet
Tim Burden: saxophone, kazoo
Dreamland (Supermarket is a Warhol Painting) is a self-released album. Buy it from their website (limited CD - 100 copies, digital).
Tracks:- Steve's Things
- Seatown®
- Don't Wanna Be Alan No More
- 21st Century Englishman
- Dreamland (Supermarket is a Warhol Painting)
- The Little Islanders
- PAC-A-MAC
- Everything + Nothing
HCTF review of Pop Wasteland
No comments:
Post a Comment