Kevin Mathews -  The Power of Pop

"In a day and age where everyone with a computer is able to record music and foist it onto an unsuspecting public, the mystique of rock & pop records seems to have gone. Perhaps forever.

Thankfully, the pop underground or the powerpop scene (take yer pick) is still able to throw up the odd craftsman and auteur who manages to uncannily re-create the wonder of 60s/70s classic pop music (complete with simulated needle on vinyl sound effect) - back when the word “pop” meant something.

For the moment, I am appreciating this excellent album from Dave Dill, an album - I might add - he basically put together all by himself, barring the three tracks co-written and co-produced with Derek Holt of the Climax Blues Band.

Whilst this fact appears to be a significant selling point of the album, I personally find that the best moments of the album are all Dill!

Just listen to the opening four tracks and be prepared to be amazed by Dill’s deft melodic songcraft, sensitive referencing and competent instrumental performances. The jaunty and cod-jazzy “Today” pushes all the right buttons and closes surprisingly with a pseudo-prog coda, out of the Neal Morse songbook, the breezy “Miss America” channels early solo McCartney or maybe Badfinger, the mid-tempo “Happily Ever After” might easily be a latter-day ELO out-take and the ornately baroque “Perfect There” recalls XTC’s Apple Venus.

The rest of the album never quite hits those peaks but why does it have to. Add to the mix the relaxed tone of the title track, the sweet intent of “Everyday Song” and the folky stomp of “Ride On” and what you get is a POP album that every fan of 60s/70s classic pop must savour."