The Fakeband – Shining On Everyone (2014)

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Don’t be deceived by the name, because the Fakeband are flesh and blood musicians who play their own instruments, write their own songs, and create music that’s as pure and sincere as the heart of a saint.

Passion, not paychecks is what motivates the Spain based band, and their latest album, Shining On Everyone (Rock Indiana Records) holds firm as an extremely accomplished effort sliced of roots-flavored power pop that’s both mentally and physically stimulating. Thoughtful expressions on life and love, conveyed by richly melodic vocals link arms with insanely catchy doodles and designs, leading to an album spelling all killer and no filler.

Swirling and whirling with big and jangly chords, “On Top Of The World” emits positive vibes by the pound, and “If You Fool Me” swaggers forth to a gripping beat that mixes shades of country, glam rock, and conventional pop into one single shot. Dripping with soul, “Healing Time” beams to an ear-satisfying showcase of hardy horn work and lolling keyboards, while “Someone” is punctured with an explosion of brash and bruising Neil Young styled guitar shreddings. The Fakeband’s flair for fusing crafty pop sensibilities with sweet soul music arises again on the sharp and spunky “Get You Back” that sounds like a perfect pairing of the Foundations and Badfinger, where tunes such as “She Told Me” and “Something About You” rock and boogie with energy and intent.

Potent hooks, cemented by striking arrangements and blissed-out harmonies are parented in piles on Shining On Everyone, rendering the disc to be a star-studded pop rock excursion. Aside from the aforementioned references, traces of the Jayhawks, Teenage Fan Club, and Gin Blossoms can also be spotted here and there, so if you dig these folks, then you’re sure to enjoy the numerous charms contained within this album. There’s no question Shining On Everyone will make my yearly top ten list of favorite albums!

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Beverly Paterson