Emperor Penguin – Sunday Carvery

When we wrote about Emperor Penguin and their front-to-back gem entitled Soak up The Gravy back in 2019, the Beatles and XTC comparisons were undeniable. With this new one, you can add a few other comparisons to the mix. Sunday Carvery is a sonic smorgasbord, if you will.

Title of the year goes to “Sputnick Sweetheart”. This slice of Brit pop chugs along somewhere between Duran Duran and Echo and The Bunnymen. And it’s catchy as hell. The conversational tone of “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” is equally as engaging.

“The Shallows” skulks along to a marvelous baseline while “On The Motorway” is a lovely piece of XTC or Sgt. Pepper era Beatles pop. I broke into a smile from the moment I heard the opening chords of “Let Me Take You On Holiday”. The antithesis of “Shallows”, it’s got a bright Haircut 100 kinda vibe. The lyrical turn makes this particularly effective – maybe even a little subversive. And let’s not forget guest vocalist Lisa Mychols’ fabulous voice.

Buried as track #7, the jangly “How I Won The War” is a hidden gem. Not only is the melody gorgeous but the hooky chorus is so memorable. I’m enthralled with the Byrdsian guitars. It’s enough to make Mitch Easter jealous.

Get Emperor Penguin’s Sunday Carvery

Here’s the skinny: Emperor Penguin’s Sunday Carvery is a 13 course meal that you simply do not want to miss. Get the CD at KOOL KAT MUSIK or the digital HERE.

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