Music Reviews

William pears

William pears

Permanent Press

Have I mentioned Britpop yet? What if Modern English merged with the ’60s Herman’s Hermits to do a Monkees’ tribute tour where over 50% of the show is “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” but they never let a day go by without playing “Dr. Robert”? This entire album is an homage to that genre without liberation or extrapolation. Each song here will remind you of many you may have enjoyed long, long ago – and still may (depending on how precocious and rebellious you turned out instead).

Have I mentioned Britpop yet? Almost any of these songs would work great as a background piece for that classic late sixties groovy movie (preferably made-for-TV) romance romp through the city, or the country for that matter – you know, the getting-to-know-you scene. However, William pears strolls through it all with the confidence of the Munsters mixing it up with us ugly people. There is even a happy-hoppy tune about the time in a record store when he first heard Johnny Rotten.

Have I mentioned Britpop yet? The Donovanish crooning (with a bit more of the stuffed cheek) and accompanying music here is totally harmless and innocuous. Only a few numbers come off so generic they’re like Barney’s older brother has written tunes for adults who never outgrew their Barney classics.

Have I mentioned Britpop yet? Despite my grumblings, I will listen to William pears some more, I just have to make sure I’m in the mood to hear a very happy and easily-elated guy for a long while. Permanent Press Recordings, 14431 Ventura Blvd, #311, Sherman Oaks , CA Permanent Press Recordings


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