As often happens in the UK, The Temples were already tipped as the hottest new band in Britain before they even released their first long player, being anointed by The Smiths' Johnny Marr and Oasis' Noel Gallagher. When you hear the first song on the album, you'll know why: It's pure Beatles 1966 - Melodic, psychedelic pop of the highest caliber, immaculately produced the way only George Martin in his fabled Abbey Road studios could back in '66. The Temples have taken Oasis' Beatle-worship to the next level by not only reconstructing new songs from Beatles melodies but actually replicating their studio tricks and retro sound to dress their own songs. But the Temples are actually not influenced by any single band but rather a whole era: There are echoes of The Who, Kinks, Syd Barrett, Marc Bolan, Byrds, Electric Prunes, Doors etc. to be found everywhere in the songs, not to mention clothing and haircuts. Second track "Sun Structures" is distinctly harder and more psychedelic with even more pronounced oriental influences (Which reminds me of those other revivalists, Kula Shaker. I wonder what happened to them...). "Golden Throne" is pop-psych with soaring strings and "Keep in the Dark" sounds like a lost T-Rex single. "Colours to Life" sounds like The Byrds and Pink Floyd had a recording session together in 1967. If it was an obscure record from the 60's, collectors would commit murder to get their hands on it. "The Guesser" is a soft and sweet àla Zombies and "Test of Time" a perfectly executed psych-pop single. "Sand Dance" is with 6:30' the longest track and the group's grandest psychedelic statement, featuring heavy riffs and mini-melodies over an Arabic groove. I'd go as far as to say it sounds like a more controlled, cleaned-up version of "Set the controls for the heart of the sun". Folky ballad "Fragment's Light" rounds up the proceedings on a gentle, melancholic tone.
**** for Shelter Song, Sun Structure, The Golden Throne, Colours to Life, Test of Time, Sand Dance
*** for Keep in the Dark, Mesmerise, The Guesser, Fragment's Light
** for Move with the Season, A Question Isn't Answered
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