SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DREAMBOATS – BACK TO THE START

The Dreamboats
Back To The Start
Dreamboats Records

A new release from The Dreamboats is  long overdue, but it is so welcome. Back To The Start is, to borrow a phrase, pure pop for now people. It is their third release and it does demonstrate growth in the band. Anyone who has seen The Dreamboats live will know that their shows are basically the history of pop and rock ‘n’ roll. Featuring four original songs as well as a new track, this is a small view into their world of music knowledge.

The Dreamboats consist of Sir Ritchie Hummins (lead vocals and guitar), Bryan Lewis (lead vocals and bass), Matt Best (lead guitar and vocals), Johnny G. Wiz (drums and vocals). The four are a tight, talented unit. They have letter perfect harmonies and put together wonderful vocal and musical arrangements.

The records kicks off with the wonderful Motown meets Phil Spector sound of “Lights Down Low”, which has all the drama of those great 1960s love songs. But it also has a wonderful flow of power pop/new wave. It leads nicely into the title track, “Back To The Start”, another love song in the classic Beatles vein.

“What About I Love You” picks up perfectly from “Back To The Start”, another song that could have come out of Liverpool in the early 1960s. Up next is the one cover here, “I’m Talking About You”. It appears to be a live recording of the Chuck Berry classic. Great guitar solos lead the way and a nice ‘Peter Gunn’ bass line makes the song rock.

The EP ends with the strongest and most original track, “Leave Me Alone”. It is a classic break-up song, chock full of hooks, with a strong melody. It demonstrates just how talented this band is and how they can produce their own original sound.

Clearly the band wear their influences on their sleeves, as they should be. Listening to this album is like being with an old friend. You just slip into a comfort zone.

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