The logline on The Icicles is that they take the sound of 60s girl groups, but incorporate into it a more modern world view and life experience that wasn’t present in those older songs. There’s certainly a heavy 60s influence here, but not in the same way as the exuberant pop of a band like The Pipettes. Instead this is more like the laid back retro pop of a band like Belle and Sebastian.
This isn’t a record that immediately jumps out at you. The songs are generally laid back, sunny pop numbers that rely on vocal harmonizing and smooth guitar and drums. It’s very easy to listen to, sometimes a bit too much. On the early listens, the album just kind of passed by without ever jumping out and demanding my attention. But, as I listened a few more times, the melodies clarified themselves and I got caught up in a series of catchy, fun songs.
“La Ti Da” is one of the best songs on here, a lilting, beautiful pop song that contrasts a substantial main vocal with whispered harmonizing. It’s a perfect catchy retro pop song. “Regret” sounds a lot like Belle and Sebastian, particularly the organ that opens the song. They have that same almost precious sonic world in the songs. “Snowbird” uses the same organ for another solid song.
The major issue with the album is that the songs are a bit samey. Even though they distinguish themselves more with each listen, most really great songs instantly hook you. Some records do require time to distinguish themselves, but that’s a sign that the album is perhaps lacking variety and artistic ambition.
Although I’ve compared this band to Belle and Sebastian numerous times here, what makes B&S so special is the wide variety of songs. On their latest album, The Life Pursuit, they bounced from the sort of lilting pop songs we’ve got here to 70s style funk to straight up rock. Now, I suppose The Icicles have to establish their sound before they can vary it, but there’s no real indication that they have the potential to do much more than they do here.
But, do they need to? Probably not. If you want pastoral pop songs in a 60s style, this is your band. The vocal harmonizing is gorgeous and the instruments don’t get in the way of that. It’s a laid back, relaxing album, perfect for summer.
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