Shplang - My Big Three Wheeler

This 2009 album was the fourth release from this L.A.-based psychedelic rock pop band. They have loads of influences and while I immediately picked up on classic Byrds, Pink Floyd and Zappa, the label also mentions Beach Boys and Electric Prunes with more recent acts such as Cake, High Llamas, Guided by Voices, and U2. There is plenty of fuzzed out and distorted guitar, poptastic melodies and hooks to keep one involved, and take it from me it may be cold outside but when this album is on it brings with it a real blast of summer. There is a strange innocent naivety about it all, so that even the wah wah pedal makes sense. Punk and nihilism just hasn’t happened; this is an America where everyone is happy and full of joy for the future. The guitar sounds are dated, but they totally fit in with the feel of the album, and if “Pound Cake” isn’t reminiscent of ‘classic’ Mungo Jerry I don’t know what is! Peter Martson and John Krause have certainly created an album that is light and full of fun, and sometimes that’s all I need my music to be. As they say, “One thing’s for sure, if you happen not to like one track, you’ll find something different coming right up.” For this and their other albums, visit http://www.jamrecordings.com