★★★★
Is there anything better than a good power-pop record? Well, there probably is, but that’s beside the point.
The fact is, you can listen to an album like Calling and realise that, whatever the mind-numbingly boring, tedious and annoying crap that suffocates your day, a dose of sparkling power-pop can take you to a different place where everything sparkles and shimmers.
The On and Ons have elements of the supergroup: Glenn Morris played with the latter-era Screaming Tribesmen, Clyde Bramley was the Hoodoo Gurus’ original bass player and Richard Lane cut his teeth with The Stems. And when the opening riff of ‘All Over Heavenly (You’re My Everything)’ kicks in, you hear this is an outfit that knows its Raspberries from its Orange Humble Band. ‘Goodbye My Love’ is The Church via Big Star and ‘Long Ride’is that coastal ride you always wanted to take with The Someloves blaring on the radio.
‘Not A Friend in Sight’ is testament to John Lennon’s observation that the saddest events can make the best pop songs. ‘Stupid Girl’ is a tongue-in-cheek misogynist garage rocker in the best tradition; ‘Hard To Say Goodbye’ is a fitting finale to an album that you hope never ends.
The On And Ons’ album Calling is out through Citadel Records.
