Record Label: Yep Roc
Genre: Rock
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

I never followed Robyn Hitchcock’s career outside of his great psych-punk Soft Boys days. Nothing personal, I’ve just never gotten a hold of his stuff nor sought it out.

So I was glad to get this EP, which comes on the heels of a recent popular album by them (Ole! Tarantula), a successful tour, and a Sundance documentary. The EP includes the title track of their last album, some live songs, a cover of the Soft Boys’ “Give It To The Soft Boys,” and a couple of videos.

The music is bright, hooky pop rock with a strong nod to the Beatles. But the Venus 3, Hitchcock’s backing band, includes REM’s Peter Buck and that REMish guitar sound really comes out.

It’s all very feel-good harmless British pop rock, but is too sterile and by-the-book. I wish Hitchcock still took chances like he did with the Soft Boys to create something new.

Bottom Line: Decent if bland power pop.
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