With their new CD, "In Love Field", The Offbeat are out to make you grin from ear to ear. This UK outfit led by Darren Finlan is quite literally bringing the British Invasion back - "In Love Field" sounds like it was pulled straight out of a 1969 time capsule. The record is full of gorgeous melodies, sunny beats, and harmonies that rival Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
Just listen to the first couple bars of the opening track, "She Can Make The Sun Shine", to see what I'm talking about - the bouncy, shimmering music matches the title precisely. The hand-jive beat of "Someday Somehow" is another throwback to a bygone era, but fans of retro rock and pop are going to eat it up. "Something About The Girl" retains the Brit Invasion feel, but also has more to offer to contemporary pop rockers. Acoustic guitars imbue "Blue Sky" with a breezy, feel-good atmosphere, making it a keeper as well. The rich harmonies on the acoustic-driven "When You Got Love" are another must hear, especially for fans of The Hollies. A final highlight I'd like to mention is "Word To The Wise", which has a distinct Herman's Hermits feel to it.
You can't help but feel all warm with nostalgia after hearing "In Love Field". The Offbeat will please fans of The Beatles, The Buckinghams, Lovin' Spoonful, and The Monkees.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8
The Offbeat - Official site. Get it.
