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Spygenius Blow Their Covers

BIG STIR RECORDS and SPYGENIUS are delighted to end the year and usher in the holidays with an epic act of heartfelt musical re-gifting. SPYGENIUS BLOW THEIR COVERS, and all-new album of reimagined versions of some of the band's favourite / vintage (and modern) tunes, is out on CD and all digital platforms November 26 It's heralded by the single “Queen Of Eyes”, a gorgeous version of the SOFT BOYS classic that nonetheless only hints at what's under the wrapping paper of SPYGENIUS BLOW THEIR COVERS. The new record is something completely different, albeit sparkling with the same heady psych-pop guitars, intricate keys and distinct harmonies that've defined the band since their inception. Here they've taken a break from crafting their own original tunes to pay tribute to their influences and even their contemporaries, and tackled an eclectic and revelatory set of covers. The chosen tunes span the full continuum of the pop-rock era, giving us a peek into their own musical influences but most importantly serving up a set that's just as sly, textured, and fun as anything the Canterbury foursome has ever recorded.

£10

★ Man On The Sea CD

Man On The Sea, the band's double-LP fifth album for 2020, is at once a summation and retrenching for the Spygenius. It follows the four albums the bad has released in the UK since their 2008 formation. Each has been noted for blending sophisticated melodies and harmonies with complex lyrics, as intelligent as they are emotionally charged: sometimes witty, sometimes painful, sometimes insightful, sometimes just nonsensical – always delightful and engaging. A US release of their previous album – the highly praised ‘Pacéphale – began the band's tenure on Big Stir Records, and was followed by a Digital Single release ("If You Go A-Roving"), all leading up the release of their double LP magnum opus Man On The Sea in 2020.

£12

Vegetarian

Mild

Organic

★ Man On The Sea Vinyl

Man On The Sea Double Vinyl Man On The Sea, the band's double-LP fifth album for 2020, is at once a summation and retrenching for the Spygenius. It follows the four albums the bad has released in the UK since their 2008 formation. Each has been noted for blending sophisticated melodies and harmonies with complex lyrics, as intelligent as they are emotionally charged: sometimes witty, sometimes painful, sometimes insightful, sometimes just nonsensical – always delightful and engaging. A US release of their previous album – the highly praised ‘Pacéphale – began the band's tenure on Big Stir Records, and was followed by a Digital Single release ("If You Go A-Roving"), all leading up the release of their double LP magnum opus Man On The Sea in 2020.

£24

Gluten free

Vegetarian

Mild

Organic

★ Pacephale

They’re quirky as all get out – song titles such as “And Her Snakes Were Decked with Smiles” and “The Friendly Stars That Glow” would seem to bear this out - but never at the expense of putting their snazzy melodies or trippy, tricky lyrics across. Spygenius’ entertaining ‘Pacephale is a 13-song concept record originally released in 2016 by the UK quartet, and now given new life by the good folks at the fledgling Southern California-based Big Stir Records label. (Having called this a concept album, I must admit I’m not quite clear on what the actual “concept” is, but it certainly hasn’t prevented me from digging the hell out of this record.) Very nice. Grade: A- Goldmine Mag

£8

Gluten free

Mild

Comforting Suture

Opus three from Spygenius HQ, and it’s “loads of fun for everyone” (Powerpopaholic). This disc offers a shedload of fan faves including ‘California Sunshine’ (which is about growing up in South London, bizarrely…), Autoclave (check out the cool animated video!) and the Spygenius version of the Murrumbidgee Whalers 'Giving Way to Trains'. This British quartet plays vibrant minor key rockers inspired by classic sixties Brit bands such as Fairport Convention, the Move, the Beau Brummels and yes, the Beatles. They also sound similar to the under-appreciated Velvet Elvis whose 1988 record was produced by Mitch Easter. The spy movie goof "Spygenius" leads into "Furniture Boats" which sounds a little like Fairport Convention and Knots & Crosses. Spygenius' two guitars perform intricate tight maneuvers on "Kevin," like two Blue Angels playing leap frog. "Here We Go Again" has madrigal-like boy/girl vocals and the slow churn of a steamship. "All My Skeletons" is churning Brit rock with gorgeous chords, somewhere between Beau Brummels and Beatles. "California Sunshine" is a Byrds-like song with a rainbow bridge. The McCartney-esque "The Void" is an acoustic whistling past the graveyard charmer about the afterlife. 'K Is Mentally Ill," another chiming power popper about a serious subject has a Chad & Jeremy feel to it, with boy/girl vocals.' Pop Geek Heaven Review 2012.

£7

Red Lounge

There are certain bands that just defy convention, and Spygenius is one of them. The combo starts this album with a mix of lounge organ, guitars and percussion with “Digden’s Rise.” It could be some alternate James Bond movie theme, with it’s dark jazz elements and stormy ending. It’s a heady start, but it yields to the brighter “Smardy’s Fish Paradise” which smacks of Neil Innes or Stackridge with a ramble about English love. This style continues on “The Ballad Of Jack Snipe” where the XTC tradition of multiple themes and rhythms layered one after the other make a compelling listen. Guitar strum and handclaps lead the song “Stupid” and the stream of consciousness lyrics help keep it listenable. Unfortunately, the band seems to fall into a self-indulgent spiral on “Matter Out Of Place,” but they recover nicely on the great “First Do No Harm” which sounds like it fell off of a classic Crosby Stills Nash album. The album loosely tries to shift musical gears with each tune, and it doesn’t always work. “You’ve Got A Lucky Face” and few other tracks speed up tempo or volume to point where they feel forced. Thankfully another gem here “The Girl Who’s Everywhere” fills the air with Byrdsian guitars and vocals, and “Trolls” is a six-minute epic that any Stackridge fan will cheer loudly to. Eclectic listeners will find Spygenius a real treat. Powerpopaholic

£7

Songs From The Devil's Typist

Sometimes you get lucky and a great band just pops up, like Spygenius. This electric four piece from London, starts with a Beach Boys a capella opening (“Dumb Angels”) then gets all hippy funky, similar to the 1910 Fruitgum Company with “The Ballad Of Dr T.F. Bundy & His Hirsute Sweetheart.” The next track “I Want That Girl” sounds like Jack Bruce (Cream) fronting for a Doors/Jellyfish hybrid. The band mashes together some diverse 60’s and modern influences, in a very original way. Songwriter Peter Watts does a great job here mixing the psychedelic stew of chords and harmonies on “Gilgamesh” as well. The album highlight here is the quirky masterpiece “Pineapple Drive” where it’s jammed together in a party atmosphere. The humor here is akin to Bonzo Dog Band, without being too over the top silly. Then the album’s serious side appears on “13 Years (May Song)” where they channel Crosby/Stills/Nash. As the album progresses the sixties influences fade. The softness of the “A Bottle Of Reds & Two Good Friends” will remind many of Rick Gallego and Cloud 11. The latter tracks have a more modern feel (“Wintergarden Summertime”) sounding a little like Green and Yellow TV. Overall an outstanding album that is sure to hook you in and keep you humming. I will go out on a limb here and say this eclectic mix deserves a spot on our year end “best-of” list. Powerpopaholic

£5

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