Fantastic Hawk

Led by Eli Simon, this four-piece band based in Philadelphia have come up with an engaging album that chimes and shimmers across its 13 songs. With a sound rooted in the 1980's (think of Cherry Red records) and featuring much tremulous clarion calls on the guitar front there are also echoes of the Beatles and Velvet Underground. Light and airy, songs flow from one to the other with some excellent arrangements, muted and understated wind instruments and percussion adding an odd Anglified air to the proceedings.

Able to both rock out (Suffering Time, with Byrds like guitar) and swing acoustically (Casual Moonbeam, best song here) the songs are engaging with melodies and riffs that nag at you and a touch of whimsy in the lyrics. Very nice. - AmericanaUK