Temple Songs – ‘I Can’t Look After You’
We’ve had the pleasure of seeing and hearing some absolutely storming groups in our time at Far Out. To cut to the chase, Manchester outfit Temple Songs are one of them.
What is it about Manchester and brilliant bands? As true to form, the city’s mercurial melting pot of all things musically majestic has brewed another splendid broth; this time, ingredients include:
- Servings of Jolan Lewis (guitar vocals), Dave Hardy (bass), Jean Hughes (guitar), and Andrew Richardson (drums).
- Spoonfuls of psychedelia.
- Pinches of pop.
- Equal portions of eclectic and eccentric influences.
- Lumps of charisma.
- Bags of rock and roll attitude.
Signed to London-based independent label RIP records, Temple Songs have been quietly humming in the ears of the collective for some time now, exuding mass potential with a catalogue of cool 1960s pop-infused, luscious low-fi numbers and a few heavier, garage rock-esque pieces put out on the band’s own accord in 2012. That quiet hum turned into an almighty tinnitus-inducing bang with the release of debut single ‘Passed Caring’ in July this year as the ultimate anthem for disenchanted youth, or anybody that generally doesn’t give a toss received critical acclaim from all lucky enough to come across it, they had us hooked (literally and metaphorically).
‘I Can’t Look After You’ is the group’s latest release and, unlike ‘Passed Caring’, refocuses on earlier Temple Songs creativity, casting the net back into the deep psychedelic sea Lewis and co have been sailing since Temple Songs’ inception. Initially, we are greeted with a swirling electric 12-string serenade and the whiskey-laden vocal melodies of frontman Lewis, and as the track gathers pace, the quartet seems to channel effortlessly, then project, all the mystical energy of the Greenwich Village scene of yesteryear. In fact, you would be forgiven for thinking that Temple Songs had summoned the skills of Roger McGuinn to session as the riff resembles and carries that ethereal vibe of many great Byrds numbers.
The Manchester group will release ‘I Can’t Look After You’ on Monday, October 14th, along with the B-side ‘She’s Away’, which is, in my opinion, their best track. With ‘Technicolor Blues’ still to come, it’ll be exciting watching this lot ascend.
If you’re impressed by what you hear then I recommend you catch Temple Songs playing live as, like their recordings, it’s something to behold.
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