Seventhirtyeight

According to drummer Andy Morten -- who writes most of this Leicester and London-based power trio's songs -- the title Seventhirtyeight came to mind due to various "spooky coincidences in the studio where the number 7:38 kept coming up on tape machines and clocks and stuff at very opportune moments. I think there's a higher force at work here..." Unfortunately, that "higher force" didn't exactly translate to tape, as this album -- their second release on the Twist label (their first was a collection of recordings made over a two-year period) -- could have used a bit of divine intervention. Even though this album finds them occasionally rocking out, full-volume, with a jangly Beatlesque guitar sound and Morten's manic, Keith Moon-inspired drums, where they too often miss the mark is in the vocal department and the band's poor attempts at harmonizing, both of which hamper this otherwise fine outing. Let's not even mention the goes-without-saying poor production values, which often go hand in hand with many group's earliest efforts. Critics have long compared the Bronco's sound to power pop's usual heroes -- the Raspberries, Live at Leeds-era Who, Big Star -- though they just as often mix in a bit of Buffalo Springfield/ Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young country-rock vibe as well. ~ Bryan Thomas