To say that Groovy Movies have been influenced by The Beatles, or from the pop culture from the late 60’s, would be an understatement … so please, allow me to begin with their “Chasing the Sun” single, which is a straight ahead low tempo knockoff of “Taxman,” laced with more psychedelic Beatlesque lyrics, that are delivered with enough honesty to make you smile, and allow the band to skate on through. And I haven’t even mentioned that the picture sleeve for this single that’s been lifted straight from Love’s catalog.

As to the self titled album itself, the track “Don’t Take Her Love Away” again musically begins with that “Taxman” vibe, though quickly morphs into “19th Nervous Breakdown” by The Rolling Stones, or more aptly, perhaps Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.” From there we find “A Walk In The Park,” where you’re brought face to face with The Kinks’ number “Sunny Afternoon,” while “I’m A Man” is pure Jerry Lee Lewis, “Beautiful Day” is all about the sound of The Lovin’ Spoonful, then “Tambourine” flashes back to The Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus,” “I’m Your Fool” channels just about anything by WAR, and “Change Your Mind” directly filters back memories of “Tommy” by The Who, leaving “My Heart Won’t Let Me” and “Rosemary” to be the only totally original numbers on the album, both songs that are blisteringly wonderful.

While it would be far too easy to call this album a full frontal assault on all that’s come before might be an over statement or simplification, as the group is totally immersed in jangle pop infused 60’s inspired AM radio singles. The trouble is, there aren’t many of us out there, people like me who are still listening, still connecting the dots, and still in search of music like this that will turn me on my heels and slap a mile wide smile across my face as this beautiful bit of multi coloured vinyl spins on my turntable.

See, this is the sort of album I could easily dismiss with the wave of my hand, relegating it to nothing more than lightweight pop songs I’ve heard before, and much better I might add. Though with all due consideration, there’s just something so simplistically honest about the Groovy Movies material that has me wanting to praise it all to the high heavens, because their nods to that colourful distant psychedelic pop era don’t come off as disingenuous, nor as outright theft, just a cool assemblage of music for a summer afternoon that requires no thought and no expectations. And (laughing) in all honesty, I doubt there are many who remember those golden hazy days, and will find these numbers to be fresh and enlightening, coming off as new pop jewels that have been recently discovered after fifty years or so, dusted off and found their way back from the great beyond.

There are no pretenses to be found here, there are no mystical hidden meanings, no over productions, no far reaching effects, just pure light heated rock n’ roll that’s sure to please time and time again, and all from a band who wear their influences proudly on their sleeve.

*** The Fun Facts: Limited Edition of 200 on multi coloured stated 45 rpm vinyl, yet plays at 33 rpm, along with textured jacket.

– Jenell Kesler

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