Theatre Royal- PORTRAITS (VACILANDO ‘68 RECORDINGS)
Apparently this UK bunch (from Medway) have been at it for nearly a decade but this was the first I’d heard of them. If you go to their Bandcamp page they’ve got a whole bevy of releases including full lengths, singles and EPs (this is their 5th full length) so the band wastes very little time. I really like what I hear on Portraits, right from the first song. “A Marvellous Death” which is a fist-pumpin’ anthem while they slow it down a bit on the jangly, but no less potent, “Callow.” Elsewhere “Kasher” is a lovely acoustic tune about a boy saving a bird (and reminded me a bit of solo Grant McLennan) and the gorgeous ‘Together We’re Alone” adds a little bit of northern soul to the proceedings. Keep listening or you’ll miss the upbeat “Tomorrow Now” which has a great hook (and killer guitar work) and “Portrait” adds elements of 60’s psych as well and the world weary, lovely “Splinter” is among the band’s best. Frontman Oliver Burgess has a perfect set of pipes for these wistful, melodic tunes while the rest of the band lays it down perfectly (and they’re all sharp dressers, too). These guys really should be huge and I have no idea why they’re not, but regardless, I hope they continue and I’ve got a huge back catalog to delve in to. www.vacilando68.org www.theatreroyal.bandcamp.com
