Working under the triple influences of garage rock, psychedelia and power pop, the Lemon Clocks pay homage to heritage fashions with smiles on their faces, fire in their bones and joy in their hearts.
Comprised of Jeremy Morris, Stefan Johannson and Todd Borsch, the trio recruited Ed James to contribute vocals and drums on a pair of cuts on their third studio album, Songs From Another Time (Rock Indiana). A true democracy, Jeremy, Stefan and Todd play a wide variety of instruments and share vocals and songwriting credits as well. No novices to the scene, these fine fellows – including Ed James – have been active participants in the independent music community for the past couple of decades or so.
Resembling a freaky fusion of Buffalo Springfield and Pink Floyd, “What Planet?” slings dirty guitar licks, crushing with muscle and might against a wall of spacey effects, while “Spektograph” and “Just a Song” also flicker and flash with sonic inventiveness, intensified by some late-period Beatles touches tossed in for good measure.
The sticky sweet soul of the Archies arise on the bright and bubblegummy “Dana The Forklift Driver Girl,” and the wildly energetic “Ready, Steady, Go!” features the kind of cheesy repetitive organ trills connected with ? and the Mysterians, topped with a manic call and response chorus.
The spirit of the Beatles is channeled once again in full force on the big and bouncy “Inspector #65,” which incorporates bits and pieces of both “Day Tripper” and “Paperback Writer” into the ringing and swinging picture. Sparkling and soaring in unity with strident chords and solid hooks, “Butterfly” and “Look Out” step in as subsequent tasty treats offered on “Songs From Another Time,” along with “On My Way” that melds choppy garage rock rhythms with catchy pop harmonies.
It’s not hard to notice how the Lemon Clocks brazenly emulate their favorite artists throughout Songs From Another Time. Although the band pinches parts and portions from familiar tunes, they revamp and retool such songs to brand them their own. Hopscotching between the psychedelic garage rock sounds of 1967 and the power popping buzz of 1977, Songs From Another Time is a righteous reminder of why these musical eras were so special and continue to be mined year after year.
The Lemon Clocks are already in the process of recording their next album, so keep your ears open for more groovy sentiments from these guys in the very near future!
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