The patron saint of brain-melting acid folk, Julian Cope, has a song entitled ‘Las Vegas Basement’. Of course, hardly any homes in the home city of The Killers actually have any basements, due to the perilously thin layer of soil that has to accommodate building foundations.
But there’s much more depth to these Dubliners. On this, their second record, the psychedelic power pop quartet blast out of the traps with ‘Gotta Get Away’, a fast and furious rock stomper.
‘77’ sees singer Ger Eaton get groovy with 60s psychedelic leanings, complimented by fine backing vocals from Tom McDonald and Keith Farrell. ‘Do This For U’ boasts the kind of dandyish stylings Bryan Ferry would be proud of. “Oh can’t you see I’ve got my crocodile shoes,” Eaton croons. “Do you have my picture on your wall? / Do you check it out when you get it on with every guy that calls?” This isn’t an example of extreme narcissism, but fabulously fun rock ‘n’ roll with its tongue firmly in its cheek and a naughty grin on its face.
Clattering curtain closer ‘Sticks & Stones’ is deliciously drenched in Theremin and more psychedelic than Dr. Timothy Leary’s freakiest dreams. Cheap and pretty? Sounds good to me...