With six critically-praised studio albums to their nautical name, it is high time the Sails put together a retrospective. Bang!: The Sails Best of 2006 to 2020 (Kool Kat Musik) locks in as a great introduction to the British band for those not previously aware of their music.
Lead singer, songwriter and multiple-instrumentalist Michael Gagliano is deeply rooted in all things pertaining to the Beatles, including playing the role of John Lennon in the Let It Be musical at the Theater Royal in Nottingham, England. So, it is expected the Sails would attire their own material with references to the illustrious Liverpool band. Such an inspiration is indeed strongly cited, not to neglect a number of other related influences.
One of the many jewels on Bang!: The Sails Best of 2006 to 2020 could actually masquerade as a Small Faces classic. Directed by Gagliano’s powerhouse pipes that are a dead ringer for Steve Marriott, “In My Head” explodes with muscle and might, capped by a halo of heavenly harmonies.
Plenty of psychedelic grooviness also pads the collection. Smothered in a wash of backward guitar doodlings, there’s the quick-footed frequencies of “I’m Only Bleeding,” where “The Slow Down” is salted with fizzy distortion and pushing and pulling rhythms. As well, the utterly gorgeous “She Is All That Matters” combines chic orchestral sounds with trippy effects that freely finger a few tricks from the experimental phase of the Beach Boys.
Glowing with charm and innocence, the strummy chime of “Best Day” recalls an early Hollies effort, and “Liar” kicks in as a raving pop rocker, marked by stomping drum rolls, rousing riffs and a blooming chorus.
Happy melodies, a heavy jangle and a touch of ’80s production values shape the Smithereens-styled “Chocolate,” while the absolutely breathtaking “Beautiful Day” punches in as a larger than life presentation, bursting at the buttons with emotional vocal potency and symphonic electricity, climaxing into a sonic rainbow of love and light.
Although the Sails openly parade their aspirations, Michael Gagliano’s lyrical and arranging skills are so outstanding that the band’s songs are wholly original and as freaking good as the artists they have so diligently researched. The Sails are quite the rage across the pond, and Bang!: The Sails Best of 2006 to 2020 provides the reason why.
Now the hour has arrived for the rest of the world to get hip to their top-notch tunes!
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