Album Details

• Artist: Gary Reynolds And The Brides Of Obscurity
• Album: Santiago's Vest
• Label: Electrokitty
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2008-05-29

Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity are a true blast from the past on Santiago's Vest, which is their 2nd full-length and just dropped earlier this year. Resurrecting the spirit of 70's power-pop ala The Beatles and a vocal style that sounds almost exactly like John Lennon's solo work, the Brides take you on a trip down nostalgia lane while keeping the other foot planted firmly in the here and now. The end results are wonderfully catchy, melodically potent and might just be this year's pop album to beat.

From the opening breezy beats of "Capital State", the listener is pulled into their world almost instantly. This song features some soulful grooves and it's lyrical content focuses on the anxiety in going too fast and getting nowhere. "Everybody's Somewhere" reminds me of CCR's "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog". "Rolling Over" is a darker tune, with a nice mid-paced riff and a big, anthemic chorus. "Where Do We Go From Here" has a chorus who's entire melody is a seeming tribute to the Beatles classic "With a Little Help from My Friends". 

It's pure nostalgia with modern production and indie songwriting flair. It's a great journey for fans of classic pop, modern power-pop and indie music in general. It's hard not to get your toes tapping to these fantastic tracks. Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity may not remain so obscure for long if word of this record travels far enough; and it damn well should. 

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