Loose Salute - Tuned to Love

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 9 / 8 / 2008

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Review

‘Tuned to Love’ is the debut album of the Loose Salute, Mojave 3 drummer Ian McCutcheon’s side project, and follows on from their first EP of three years ago, ‘Suck It Up, Buttercup'. It is the first new release by a member of Mojave 3 for a few years, although vocalist Neil Halstead also has a second solo album out shortly on Island entitled ‘Oh, Mighty Engine’. ‘Death Club’ opens the album and is light and fluffy, with a classic 1960’s Beach Boys vibe. It is a song full of summer vibes and with a nice banjo beat. ‘Photographs and Tickets’ has more of a folk sound. Keyboardist and percussionist Lisa Billson takes over from Ian on vocals and it has a happy festival, toe tapping sound. The lead break is on trumpet giving it a Mexican-style Love and ‘Forever Changes’ atmosphere. ‘From Head to Sandy Toes’ has a pub/country rock sound. It features some lush Bangles-style backing vocals from Lisa, and is a song to sway along to with a full pint in your hand and summer skies in your heart. ‘The Mutineer’ is softly sung by Ian, who sounds exactly like Neil Halstead in his delivery, and it recalls Mojave 3 at their best. ‘Turn the Radio On’ was a single and it has a Byrds style jingle and vocals which sound like those of a happy Karen Carpenter. ‘Why'd We Fight’ is a sad country blues number, a true heartbreaker, and an album highlight, while ‘Ballad of the Dumb Angel’ again recollects Mojave 3 and features some strong acoustic guitar work. ‘Through the Stratosphere to the Bars’ has a Saturday night country rock party feel, while the title track, ‘Tuned to Love’, sounds like a country version of T.Rex with added soft vibes and which features a stand-up bass. ‘Cold Water’ is a very relaxed and chilled out number, while ‘Ship on the Ocean’, which closes this album, is a very sad tale with a pace similar to ‘Space Oddity’.It has a backing that sounds like a combination of mid 70’s rock and Mojave 3 at their most commanding. A very fine album indeed.

Track Listing:-

1 Deathclub
2 Photographs And Tickets
3 From Head To Sandy Toes
4 The Mutineer
5 Turn The Radio Up
6 Why'd We Fight
7 Ballad Of The Dumb Angel
8 Through The Stratosphere To The Bars
9 Tuned To Love
10 Cold Water
11 Ship On The Ocean

Label Links:-

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