After three decades of silence, Tol-puddle Martyrs – who are best remembered for the smashing 1967 “Time Will Come”/”Social Cell” single – returned to the fore a dozen or so years ago. Since then, the Australian band has conceived some of the most refreshing music of note, which honors the past as well as acknowledges the present.
Comprised of original singer, keyboardist and songwriter Peter Rechter, the Australian band also includes Graham McCoy on guitar and vocals, and Chris Cook on drums.
The sixth and latest full-length Tol-puddle Martyrs album, Another Earth (Secret Deals) adheres to the band’s standard policy of spawning the type of tunes once heard, never forgotten. A high energy affair, each track is a multimillion-dollar delight, capturing Tol-puddle Martyrs fit, focused and bursting with intensive enthusiasm.
It’s easy to imagine yourself seated aboard a spaceship and cruising the cosmos while listening to the title cut of the album. Proposing an icy exterior that crosses psychedelic paneling with electronic trimming, Another Earth posts a magnetic pull impossible to resist.
The majority of the remaining material on Another Earth sits squarely on the user-friendly pop rock side of the coin. Shaping the joint references of British beat and new wave into their own vibrant vision gushing with purity and informality, Tol-puddle Martyrs produce songs that are both charming and clever.
Streaming with mega-melodic vocals, sharp hooks, industrial-strength arrangements and rhythmically flowing lyrics, “Caped Crusaders,” “Paying It Back With Interest” and “Nobody I Know” call for serious head-nodding and foot-tapping action. The rocking throttle of “Avignon” and the jaunty vaudeville styled ditty “I’m OK” further dial in as numbers headed for the hit parade.
Peter Rechter has done a very good thing by reviving Tol-puddle Martyrs. Not only is Another Earth an ace addition to the band’s legacy, but a worthy contribution to today’s music scene. Everybody loves a catchy song, and this harmonious album is locked tight with such timeless treasures.
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