The Locustz (or The Red Locusts as you will recall from the debut album), are back for another round of retro-classic power pop in the vein of their musical heroes The Beatles. Featuring the same line-up of Rick Springfield and the Bissonette brothers Matt & Gregg, the guys deliver 11 supremely crafted pop songs with that familiar 60s/70s vibe that the acclaimed debut featured.
I think this album takes it all to a new level – even catchier songs, more elaborate guitar parts, superb vocals and a slick production.
It’s obviously not your typical melodic rock type album you’d expect from these guys, but it is a classy left turn that gets better and better each listen.
Released on limited green vinyl for Record Store Day April 18, there is supposed to be a CD release coming, but I haven’t had a firm date for that yet. Not every track features Rick on lead vocals. Matt takes lead or co-lead on a few, giving the record another authentic nod to The Beatles.
Highlights are plenty – the strong opening of ‘Welcome To The Revolution’, featuring a classic sounding RS riff; the ultra catchy 60s power pop ‘Battersea Park’ and the intricate ‘Head Full Of Rain’.
The vocal from ‘St. Teresa’ sounds like it could have come directly from Rick’s last album ‘Automatic’, even in this revised musical format. The very Rembrandts sounding uptempo retro-anthem ‘Valentino’s Bed’ is great and the soft psychedelic 90-second ballad ‘Friends’ (sung by Matt) is a light hearted way to close a pretty busy album.
It’s another Rick Springfield left turn, but there’s a new solo album right up ahead, so dig into this joyful collection of well-written and recorded retro power pop songs.
