The last album by Brighton's The Popguns was way back in 1996 ('A Plus de Cent')! So you can imagine what a wonderful delight it was to discover that this month they have finally released a brand new album entitled 'Pop Fiction'. They have been back around for a couple of years after a handful of gigs in 2012 and a couple in 2013, but this year has seen them playing more shows including dates in Paris, New York and Berlin (as well as London and their beloved Brighton Area).
In September this year they released a new single 'Lovejunky', and it was the first single since 1996's 'Harley Davidson'.
In places this reminds me a little of 10,000 Maniacs (that's not a bad thing at all in my book!). Vocalist Wendy Pickles has a bit of Natalie Merchant edge to her voice (think of their 'In My Tribe' album and you might see the comparison).
If you want to get one last album before the year closes out or are wishing a last gasp Christmas Present then this is the album YOU MUST GET!
Notes from Rough Trade
Highly anticipated and absolutely superb new album from legendary
English band The Popguns! Purveyors of heartfelt, uncomplicated pop
music, carried by melodies and vocals that go straight to the heart, the
group's debut single 'Landslide' in 1989 was voted into John Peel's
Festive 50 and a rush of brilliant singles and albums over the next six
years assured the band a well-deserved place in pop history. Recently
the four original members reformed along with a new drummer and backing
singer and this year has seen them play to enthusiastic audiences in
London, Paris, Berlin, New York, and the prestigious Indietracks
Festival. The first Popguns album since 1996, 'Pop Fiction' is a truly
magnificent return. Epic album opener 'City Lights' begins with a
chiming guitar intro that builds into dreamy vocals telling a tale of
misplaced affections and the alluring lights of the big, bad city,
accompanied by some especially dazzling melodies. Meanwhile, 'If You
Ever Change Your Mind' is a classic three-minute power pop tune with a
wicked hook and a little twist in the tail. The song was inspired in
part by an episode of the Danish political drama 'Borgen' and is a
stunning showcase for the incomparable vocals of Wendy Pickles. The
album continues with the immediate pop hit 'Lovejunky' which was
released earlier this year as a limited red vinyl 7" single. It's a
glorious song with soaring vocals, driving guitars, an insanely catchy
chorus, and marvelous harmonies. Next, a long acoustic intro for 'Still
Waiting For The Winter' showcases dual female vocals before the rest of
the 'Guns arrive for a reflective journey through a vignette of Popgun
nights out on the Brighton seafront. The song references the band's
second single and live favorite 'Waiting For The Winter' from 1989,
giving long-time fans even more to smile about. 'Alfa Romeo' is a single
contender inspired by the fascinating story of American trumpeter Chet
Baker, and the mood of the song perfectly fits the romantic image of the
unimaginably cool Baker in his Alfa Romeo on the boulevards of San
Francisco, Paris and Rome. Side two of the album opens with the slow
burner 'Out of Sight' with its tom-tom intro providing the base for some
ethereal feedback guitar and gorgeous layered vocals. It's an
altogether different side to The Popguns as they sink into the divine
sound of a long distance love affair quietly beating on a rainy
Wednesday night. This segues into the sparse backing track of 'Not Your
Night Tonight', which lets Wendy's voice be heard in its full beauty
with lyrical shades of Lou Reed and Bob Dylan and some beautifully
twinkling keyboards. 'Leaning on the Backline' is a proper up-tempo
indie guitar track and a nostalgic look back to the late 80s and the
people and places around the band at that time, while 'Something Going
On' sits perfectly beside any track from that time period as a classic
Popguns song with Wendy's vocal delivery leaving no doubt that this is
still someone not to be messed with! Finally, 'I'll See You Later' is a
celebratory sign off to the album with The Popguns getting as close to
rock as they probably ever will with some solid guitar riffs.
Utterly accomplished and bursting with confidence, 'Pop Fiction' is that great pop record The Popguns always promised when they formed 25 years ago and an absolutely spectacular return for the band. Pop perfection indeed!
Utterly accomplished and bursting with confidence, 'Pop Fiction' is that great pop record The Popguns always promised when they formed 25 years ago and an absolutely spectacular return for the band. Pop perfection indeed!
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