The members of English pop quartet Spygenius decided to pay tribute to the music they grew up with on their new album Spygenius Blow Their Covers. It's not a stop gap release while they contemplate their next move after the superb Man On The Sea (HCTF's album of the year in 2020), but more like a dive into the rabbit hole and resurfacing with a wealth of unexpected gems, like the sea-shanty Murrumbidgee Whalers and Griselda by American folkies Michael Hurley and The Unholy Modal Rounders.
By kicking off with the Traffic / Monkees medley Paper Sun / Love Is Only Sleeping it is crystal clear that is no ordinary set of reimagined songs. Coupling a hallowed debut single with prefabricated pop that was snubbed by the connoisseurs back in the day is a bold move and to rub it in they included another Monkees cover, For Pete's Sake. Spygenius are first and foremost a band that is focused on the melody with a touch of melancholy, so it makes sense that they tackled Is That Love by New Wave band Squeeze and Michael Caine by ska maestros Madness.
Spygenius Blow Their Covers is a labor of love, a tribute to the sound of more innocent times. Nostalgia is a means of escapism, but it also a means to deal with the current shit state of the world. Not a cure or a solution, but it will make the listener feel better for sure.
Spygenius:
Peter Watts: vocals, guitar
Ruth Rogers: bass
Matt Byrne: keyboards
Alan Cannings: drums
Spygenius Blow Their Covers is released via Big Stir Records (CD, vinyl). Release date: November 26.
Tracks:- Paper Sun / Love Is Only Sleeping
- So You Say You Lost Your Baby
- Therapy
- Come On Home
- Griselda
- Is That Love
- Please Stop Talking
- For Pete's Sake
- Murrumbidgee Whalers
- Queen Of Eyes
- Step Inside Love
- Rock 'N' Roll Woman
- Michael Caine
HCTF review of Man On The Sea.