This is the much-anticipated debut long-player from the band that came to wider attention though the Raw Sessions, as well as memorable appearances at BP Fallon's and Alan McGee's Death Disco. Happy to report that it more than lives up to its promise.
Anyone who has Sweet Jane tagged as a mere Velvets/Jesus & Mary Chain copyists is in for a nice surprise, for these dozen tracks reveal a much broader spread of influences. OK so the guitars are fuzz-toned to within an inch of their lives and the vocals are drenched in reverb. But 'Bleed' owes more to Patti Smith than MBV or BRMC, while the terrific new single 'Black Eyes' showcases true pop smarts and is certain to become a favourite at the indie disco. But if 'Texas Tears' is shoegazing 101, on 'Where's Your Money' they come across like The Mamas & Papas-meets-the Flying Burritto Brothers. Meanwhile, the country-ish, twangy 'Save A Little Place' even includes a snippet of the Everly Brothers' early 60s hit 'Dreams', while the chord progression on 'You're Making This Hard' is inspired by The Who's 'Substitute'. An epic slow-burner, 'Something For My Soul' the (near) title track boasts 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' keyboards, pounding tribal drums and a chorus that reaches into the stratosphere. Elsewhere the acoustic, dreamy 'I've Been Waitin' sees vocalist Lydia Del Dolles come over all Ronnie Spector - a trick she repeats to even greater effect on 'Don't Hold Your Head So Low'.
Majestic!