Classic Power Pop is Back: The Spindles’ Wavelength

Power pop fans can never get enough of artists who meld together the sounds of the best British Invasion bands and makes it their own. As evidenced by their debut album, Past and Present, The Spindles do this better than most.  That was 2018, seemingly long ago and far away. However, every spring promises us something new and wonderful around the corner. Case in point, their latest LP entitled Wavelength.

Wavelength is the second album from Jeff Janulis and his band of merry Chicagoans.  And much like their debut of 2018, they deliver on this aforementioned promise. The formula is simple – memorable melodies, big hooks and killer harmonies. It’s everything we love about power pop. The songwriting is stellar with Janulis as chief scribe – but Rob Elvis, Brad Elvis, Robert Ross and Mike Vigil contribute memorable tracks, too.

An Instant Hit

The opening track, “Getaway” grabbed me immediately. With a chorus worth singing along to, big guitars and smoothly pleasing harmonies, it’ll be an instant hit with the hip crowd. With “Rock Boy”, Ross mines the same thematic vein as 70’s hits like The Fabulous Poodles’ “Mirror Stars” or even earlier, The Byrds’ “So You Wanna Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” – but not before the guys show off their vocal prowess with a great cover of The Hollies’ “Bus Stop”. It’s an exhilarating ride so far – but hold on ‘cause it only gets better.

What would a trip back to the 60’s be without an actual trip? We get it with “Rock for It”, a gorgeous bit of psychedelia. Penned by Rob Elvis, the lyrics are suggestive in a fun, Brill Building kinda way. The background vocals make the catchy “Hanging On” really soar. It also benefits from brilliant guitar work, courtesy of Janulis and Andrew Bockelman. On a side note, Bockelman also co-engineered the album with Janulis. Next up is “Two Sides to Every Story” an uber-catchy tune that reminds me of something the late, great Jack Lee might write if he were still with us.

Get The Spindles’ Wavelength

Here’s the bottom line – every track on Wavelength is worthy of repeated listening. Not only is the musicianship and production top notch but there’s an urgency in its performance. There are elements (particularly vocal) that bring me back to power pop legends The Records and their second album, Crashes. That’s one Helluva reference and an emphatic thumbs up for The Spindles’ Wavelength. Get your copy at their Bandcamp page (digital) or Kool Kat Musik (CD). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.