Review: The Telephones - Coming Around / Nothing's The Same 7"

I don't review singles as a rule, but I've made an exception 'cos this is The Telephones! For those with long memories, their last single, 'Hummingbyrd', was a standout track from 2014. It was a beguiling mix of 60s psychedelia and Byrdsian West Coast grooviness. 'Coming Around / Nothing's The Same', I'm very pleased to say, is just as good....the same 60s psych sensibilities, the same West Coast harmonies and some wonderful 70s grooviness all wrapped up in 2 tracks to lift the spirits and gladden the heart.

'Coming Around' revisits 'Hummingbyrd' in that it has a wonderful 60s psych vibe, with some very Procol Harum Hammond Organ from Lee Horsley (he of Spiritualised fame) and insighful, thoughtful lyrics from front man and all round top bloke Andy Richardson. It is one of those songs that become infectious, with a strong melody and solid playing from all members (Andy, Lee and Jim Widdop - lead guitar/backing vocals, Bob Manners - bass/ backing vocals & Tris Alsbury - drums). It really is an ace slice of shimmering psych 'pop'. 'Nothing's The Same' is an equally strong track and takes us back to the Paisley Underground scene of the 80s. It has more lush organ work from Horsley and some cool psych guitar work from Widdop. Again, the melody and the harmonies make this a track that firmly lodges in your mind, in a good way. This may not be as 'heavy' as a lot of the material I review on these pages, but is every bit as good and with this single they have certainly provided two tracks that will make up my soundtrack to the summer (remember 'summer'?).These guys really need to make an album.

"Coming Around / Nothing's The Same" also has some groovy cover art courtesy of Dale Simpson and will be released July/August time, depending,as ever, on the vagaries of the pressing process. It will be available via the PPAJ label. All enquiries re: the record can be sent to telephoneenquiries@aol.com.

In the absence at the mo of any media to embed from the new single, here's the guys performing 'Hummingbyrd', 'cos I never tire of listening to it.