Look Back In Manga

“Look Back In Manga” Richard Snow & The Inlaws
Indie rock and power pop with a 60s Brit pop flavor on many tracks. Based in Nottingham, England, the band formed for a few years in the 90s under another name. As Richard Snow & The Inlaws, they toured extensively from 2005–2012 for Snow Patrol, the Posies and others. This is their first full album since 2011. The songs are a throwback to the rock and power pop of the 60s and 70s, featuring 12-string Rickenbacker guitar and rich harmonies throughout. ‘Manga’ (pronounced MAWN – gah) is a reference to Japanese comics. RIYL: The Beatles, Byrds, Beach Boys or Kinks.
— Francis

Recommended: 2, 12, 10, 1, 3, 7, 13. FCC on Track 15.

1. (3:50) She’s An Equinox — Bright and jangly with rich backing harmonies and a great bass line. Very Byrds-like. ***
2. (4:21) I Never Liked The Beatles — Opens with classic riff reminiscent of “I Feel Fine” by the Beatles, and then transitions into a confident guitar-driven strut. About a neighbor who hated the Fab Four. ****
3. (3:38) Beautiful Decay — Easy, ambling 60s-flavored groove. Harmonica in the lead breaks. ***
4. (3:25) Wear You Out — Novelty tune with constant changes in time signatures, tempos and styles. Evolves from nostalgic piano to Beach Boys surf, and back again.
5. (3:16) Keep Up Roland — Angular, at times off-kilter, guitar rock with a snappy backbeat.
6. (4:08) System Out Of Date — Sweet Brit pop, with repeated fingerpicked guitar arpeggios and harmonized vocals.
7. (2:53) Double Act — Gentle, reassuring ballad with wistful vocals. ***
8. (3:02) Bad Times Coming — Peppy, skipping rock with call-and-response vocals in the choruses.
9. (2:47) Not Gonna Take It — Bouncy, reggae-style rock over guitar and organ, with rapid-fire repeated vocals in the choruses.
10. (2:29) You Can’t Have It All — Mid-tempo jangly rock with Beatles-like harmonies and George Harrison-style guitar in the lead break. ****
11. (3:54) Grace — Swaying folk rock with Telecaster slide guitar, bongos and tambourine. Guitar solo at end.
12. (2:54) Analogue Calls — Catchy, up-tempo power pop with sharp guitar work and Beach Boys-like harmonies. ****
13. (4:33) Kick It Around/Wear You In (Clean Edit) — Opens with 17 seconds of chatter and room noise. Minor-key vocals set the stage for lush harmonies in the choruses. Ends with soaring Beach Boys-like harmonizing. ***
14. (5:37) Freedom Snatchers — Piano and guitar slow burn. Telecaster, mellotron and more.
15. (4:33) Kick It Around/Wear You In (Unedited) — Unedited version of track 13. FCC: shit