Album Review: Let Go – Revolver

When most people sing the merits of “Revolver”, you can probably assume that they are enthusing about the 1966 Beatles classic, which transcends genres and is arguably one of the most important and innovative records in music history.

But there is another one out there doing some interesting work of their/its own. I obviously won’t go as far as to compare the work of French Pop-Rock trip Revolver to that of the music produced on the group’s namesake, produced by the Fab Four, as that would just be ludicrously unfair.

Following on from the group’s debut record ‘Music For a While’, which included the native smash ‘Get Around Town’ – a record that earned nominations for Best Debut Album and Best New Live Act at the France Music awards – long-time friends Ambroise, Christophe and Jérémie are back, and with harmonies and melody aplenty.

The trio have utilised their acoustic guitar, cello and some lovely keyboard work to create a surprisingly fresh and varied sound, which still harks back to their previous recordings.
Opening track ‘Let’s Get Together’ jangles its way through the intro with a hint of more to come, which it dually does when the tune descends into a heavenly mix of soaring harmonies and melody, worthy of Simon & Garfunkel. It really is a great way to start an album.

Things slow down a bit with the next track, ‘The Letter’, but the harmonies soar on, this time with a hint of Beach Boys, reaffirming the boys clear affinity for classic 60s inspired Pop.
In fact, that influence meanders through the songs on ‘Let Go’ with quite frankly very pleasing consequences. However, this album is definitely more than a mere homage to the classic era of Rock and Roll.

This is highlighted magnificently by tracks ‘Losing You’ and lead single ‘Wind Song’. Yes, the Wilson-esque harmonies are still there, but you feel like they have been invaded and kicked up the arse by the very best of modern guitar music, while still maintaining all the beauty that one would wish to listen to from Revolver’s fore fathers.
Far from being good enough to be realistically compared to the work of the many of the bands that clearly have influenced the album, there is still an awful lot to be said for how enjoyable this record is.

It is not often you get an album that sounds like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and that makes you want to dance. But this record does, and one thing is for sure, it works.

By Dan Colombini

Check out the BBMLive Dance Music Podcast mixed by So Called Scumbags.