Album Notes

"Spygenius - an electric 4 piece band who use a 60s vocabulary to craft 21st century music with a postmodern twist."
If you appreciate the jangle-meistering of the Byrds and Beatles, the harmonies of Crosby, Stills and Nash and the lyrical wit of Robyn Hitchcock, you'll love Spygenius...

'How do you sum up this electric four piece from London and the Kent coast? Music for a Socratic disco? Jacques Brel translated by Eric Morcambe?

With uplifting harmonies carrying lyrics that tell of life in all its painful, hilarious complexity; spun about with chords and rhythms you didn't think could dance together, but once played, can never be separated again. Well, actually, that's their trick: true originality with instant accessibility, sublime songs you've not heard before but, at the back of your subconscious, you knew had to be out there somewhere. Want it simpler than that? All right guitar based pop music for anyone of any age who loves a real tune and lyrics with humour, feeling and truth.'

REVIEW FROM POWERPOPAHOLIC 2009
'Sometimes you get lucky and a great band just pops up, like Spygenius. This electric four piece from London, starts with a Beach Boys a capella opening ("Dumb Angels") then gets all hippy funky, similar to the 1910 Fruitgum Company with "The Ballad Of Dr T.F. Bundy & His Hirsute Sweetheart."
The next track "I Want That Girl" sounds like Jack Bruce (Cream) fronting for a Doors/Jellyfish hybrid. The band mashes together some diverse 60's and modern influences, in a very original way. Songwriter Peter Watts does a great job here mixing the psychedelic stew of chords and harmonies on "Gilgamesh" as well. The album highlight here is the quirky masterpiece "Pineapple Drive" where it's jammed together in a party atmosphere. The humor here is akin to Bonzo Dog Band, without being too over the top silly.
Then the album's serious side appears on "13 Years (May Song)" where they channel Crosby/Stills/Nash. As the album progresses the sixties influences fade. The softness of the "A Bottle Of Reds & Two Good Friends" will remind many of Rick Gallego and Cloud 11.
The latter tracks have a more modern feel ("Wintergarden Summertime") sounding a little like Green and Yellow TV. Overall an outstanding album that is sure to hook you in and keep you humming. I will go out on a limb here and say this eclectic mix deserves a spot on our year end "best-of" list.'
(Aaron Kupferberg - Powerpopaholic)