Temples ‘Sun Structures’ Review: 60’s psych-revivalists make a convincing (if at times too slavish )replica of flower power jangle.
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Temples are one of the most hyped bands in Britain at the moment, which should come as little shock. Anytime a band conjures the sounds of UK’s favorite sons The Beatles and 60’s psych in general, Brits get giddy; Stone Roses, Oasis, Kasabian (who they’ve opened for, in addition to Suede), etc.
What makes Temples new album Sun Structures so impressive is its technical execution. If no one told you any different, you could just assume this was a Phil Spector or Joe Meek produced band that got lost in the shuffle.
But nope, it was recorded last year in a makeshift living room studio, produced by band leader James Edward Bagshaw. But its mountainous Wall-Of-Sound reverb sounds truly authentic.
This slavishness to an era of bowl haircuts and tie-dye is impressive; album opener Shelter Song conjures memories of Ticket To Ride.
The Beatles influence extends to most tracks on the album, in particular the title track, with stuttering drums akin to Tomorrow Never Knows.
The Golden Throne’s sparkling guitar and bleating carnival organ is equal parts Strawberry Alarm Clock and The Zombies.
In fact, The Zombies are a close second in the influences shown on the album, but at times it’s too showing; Move With The Season sounds a lot like Time of The Season. Must it extend to the title as well?
As the album progresses, the Beatles-Middle Eastern phase comes through, especially in the sitar-ish drone of Sand Dance.
Throughout the album tones of billowing harps and other psychedelic accoutrements drift in and out of the mix; if these were digitally manipulated, then it’s a masterful job.
But as pleasing as their take on sun-dappled flower power can be, there’s one big negative; Bagshaw’s lyrics. Even by hippy-dippy standards, they are cloying, over cutesy and often embarrassing.
Take this from Colours To Life; Choose visions, wake from deep/Painting ourselves on stained glass floor/The things we discussed are disguised until unveiled.
It sounds too much like second-hand beat poetry drivel. This deprives the album from having an emotional through-line to the listener. Pastiche can be pleasing to the ear, but at the cost of transcendence.
This extends to the tight song arrangements. The lack of expansive sonics prevents the album from going into full psychedelic overdrive. It’s more window dressing than full astral plane immersion.
Such are the problem when a band offers such a close facsimile to a bygone era. Which begs the question; where will Temples go next?
One can only guess, but criticism aside, Sun Structures is an accomplished début, full of sonic sparkle and polish. Let’s just hope for a bit more content next time around.
Want to own Sun Structures on iTunes or Amazon? Click on the links below.
[amazon_image id=”B00GRYKUAI” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Sun Structures[/amazon_image]