Green Seagull - Smoke And Mirrors

 

Green Seagull are back with album number three and it’s another ripper. 

Born from the ashes of three of our favourites; The Magnetic Mind, New Electric Ride and the Hidden Masters, their first two albums were masterclasses in jangly baroque psychedelia which could have been plucked straight out of 1968.

Bands who plough this sort of knowingly retro furrow can often get stuck in a rut and end up producing the same album over and over again, but Smoke and Mirrors sees Green Seagull striking a very well judged balance between what we’ve come to love them for on previous records and exploring new avenues.

There’s plenty of the jangle, vintage harmonies and baroque Manzarekian / Mandrake Memorial keyboards which have become their calling cards but here we also see something new in tracks like Walking and Paradise Way, which both have the epic sweep of The Coral circa Roots and Echoes or The Curse of Love, while They’re Coming For You Barbara has such a late Byrds country rock guitar twang to it that it’s a bit of a shock when you notice that it’s not McGuinn’s wispy vocals adorning it. 

Møtrik - Earth

Møtrik are “America’s Best Krautrock Band” according to their band bio, which seems like a pretty bold claim. 

But in all seriousness they might be onto something. 

Granted there aren't many (or any) other U.S bands that I can think of that are as Krautrock as this Portland quartet. And by Krautrock I don't mean that challenging hippy commune free form stuff. No, this is Krautrock for the masses, of the crowd-pleasing Neu / Kraftwerk / Can variety. 

This does exactly what it says on the tin. Their dedication to - and application of - the motorik groove is to be commended. It is absolutely relentless and where you'd think this might get a bit wearisome over the course of a whole album, in their very capable hands it becomes hypnotic and strangely addictive.

Largely this can be put down to two things. Firstly, this is a really nicely layered record with lots of kaleidoscopically lovely kosmische synths adding texture and shade, and secondly these are just really appealing songs that are guaranteed to worm their way in after a few listens. It's probably more Krautpop than Krautrock really given how catchy these songs are, and has substantial crossover potential.

If, like me, you've been enjoying the neo-Krautrock albums that Andy Bell has been putting out in recent years you've possibly just met your new favourite band.