THE 88
Kind Of Light (Mootron Records)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

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Josh at It's Alive media hipped me to these guys, who he promotes. They are uber Kinks influenced, but the early '70s Arthur/Muswell Hillbillies/Everybody's In Showbiz-period Kinks. The singer, Keith Slettedahl, has an uncanny vocal resemblance to Ray Davies. Another review I recently read said "So similar is the sound it could be marketed as The Great Lost Album II and fool a number of people," and I wholeheartedly attest to that as well. Using an array of instruments that include many electric and acoustic guitars, drums, bass, piano, organ, sax, and accordion, this five-piece 88 do a remarkable job of recreating the Kinks-ish sound. One of my faves is "Melting In The Sun," a wistful song that features some trumpet from guest musician Bal. It's all real good, but my faves have to be "Sunday Afternoon," "How Good Can It Be" and "Something Had Me Good," with nice slide guitar and great honky tonk style piano work.

© 2004 - Alan Wright