Higher State - I Just Pretend/Ain't It Hard
by Fiona Hutchings
published: 2 / 2 / 2013
Label:
State Records
Format: 7"
intro
Derivative 7 inch vinyl only single from UK 60's folk pop act, the Higher State
The Higher State bill themselves as the UK's 'leading exponents of West Coast folk-rock', I was not entirely sure what to expect from this 'monophonic 2-sider'. This single is, however, available as a new limited edition 7" with authentic UK-style push out centre, and in this day and age that is exciting. So I am sad that the music itself sounds neither new nor exciting. Putting me in mind of late 60's summer of love tracks, shades of the Beatles, maybe the Byrds and certainly the Searchers run through both tracks like a stick of rock. It is 60's folk pop by numbers and leaves me disappointed. I really wanted to like this but it is straightforwardly derivative of rather than inspired by.
Track Listing:-
1 I Just Pretend2 Ain't It Hard
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/The-HIGHER-STATE-Fan-page-105106636195028/https://www.reverbnation.com/thehigherstate
Label Links:-
http://staterecs.com/https://www.facebook.com/pages/State-Records/117984924889635
bandcamp
soundcloud
reviews |
Your Casting Doubt/X-Ray Day (2017) |
Excellent ninth vinyl single from garage punks the Higher State, who although they come from Sussex, have a West Coast sound |
Potentially (Everyone is Your Enemy) (2013) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Deep Purple - =1
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Popstar - Obscene
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart