feature photo: Jay Gilbert
Arising from the long-smoldering ashes of Jellyfish, The Lickerish Quartet came forth with a four-song EP in the spring of 2020 that was one of the few bright spots during a very dark period all around this world. Threesome, Vol. 1 showcased the songwriting, arranging and vocal talents of Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Tim Smith and Eric Dover presenting high quality representations of classic, FM radio album rock pervasive in the 70s and 80s.
The release of Vol. 1 came with a promise of a Vol. 2, and Stage 2 of their plan to put out a whole album in three(?) parts has kicked off today, November 20, 2020. The video you see above unveils an advance single from the second volume, deliriously titled “Snollygoster Goon.”
I’m guessing — but it’s pretty educated guessing — that Dover is handling lead vox except on the bridge, which would be Manning. “Snollygoster Goon” is a frantic, fun-ride with all the raw joy of punk rock, and the Quartet’s emblematic rich harmonies materialize out of nowhere only to repeat the song’s title only to instantly disappear again. It’s a straightforward rocker as the Lickerish Quartet goes, but deceptively so; each listen picks up a new neat trick slyly inserted into the song’s layout. They’re still sweating the details.
This should get us through the holidays until “Snollygoster Goon” and three other fresh tracks are dropped as an EP right after Yuletide. “Snollygoster Goon” is now available on all from the major streaming services. Threesome Vol. 2 is pegged for a January 8, 2021 release, courtesy of Stranger Danger Records and Tapes.
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