The Overtones - Loving The Sound (Acoustic)

Picture this: It's a balmy summer evening. The sun has finally set and I'm sitting in my boxers (Hollister, of course) whilst perusing the book I am currently reading. I have just demolished a rather delicious Starbucks chocolate chunk cookie, which is ridiculous so late in the evening as it will go straight to my BMI and give me what my mother calls "child bearing hips" (??!) Anyway, in the background, BBC Radio 2 is playing and hurrah! Shortly after Fame by David Bowie finishes playing (top tune but still not as good as the theme to Fame by Irene Cara), The Overtones are on to give their first taste of their upcoming second album, Higher. Or as our American friends would say, their sophomore set. Here are some reasons to be very excited about The Overtones return...

• Satorial Elegance ~ whatever the occasion, you can guarantee that The Overtones boys will be turned out in the most dapper of stylings. EVEN ON RADIO. Take a lookie at the picture above. They are all the epitomy of handsome style. They repel bad taste and create a timeless, movie star presence every time they are around. You get the impression they'd even be in cravats and bowties at a BBQ...(and why not)!
• Eloquent wit ~ I love that the genuine friendship of the band radiates through their interviews. They are at ease with each other, a natural banter flows and actually quite funny. When announcing the name of the album as "Higher" (in unison of course), Timmy points out that it shouldn't be mistaken as "hiya" and sounds exactly like Anthony Cotton on Coronation Street :D
• Love of their craft ~ there is no doubt whatsoever that The Overtones love love love what they do. They loved Good Ol' Fashioned Love so much that it ran as an album campaign for nigh on two years. Yet they never let it become dull or drawn out. There were sparkling live concerts, dazzling tv performances and a plethora of additional songs that kept it fresh and entertaining for their long time fans (indeed, see my guide to your ultimate 2 disc GOFL collection). But new music means new promotional opportunities...
• New promotional opportunities ~ hurrah indeed that there will be a new album in October followed by a new tour (I have my ascot picked out already). But there will no doubt be TV performances, you tube diaries and if Simon Cowell has ANY sense at all, a stunning turn on one of the X Factor Live Results shows. PS, a cover of Black Heart by Stooshe must also happen :)

And here are my thoughts on their acoustic version of the new song. *SCREAM*!!

• It's a rather uplifting number (lyrically) about coming through a bad relationship, weathering the storm and emerging a stronger person.
• Timmy delivers a delightfully engaging vocal, with Lachie giving some gorgeous baritone to complement this during the chorus. Of course the rest of the boys give it some sumptuous harmony to layer the track, giving it a beautiful textured arrangement.
• There are some joyous na na na/la la las coming out of the second chorus that are going to sound even more vibrant on the studio recording.
• The middle eight has some heavenly ad-libs and continues to crescendo until the singalong, handclap, fingerclicking chorus comes in for more explosively good run through.
• Overall, it's a great record to herald their return - reminds people of their effortlessly charming vocal ability, demonstrates their prowess as songwriters and represents the next step of their career whilst completely in line with what has already come to pass. Top work boys :)
• (PS Part One: They all look ace, but of course Mark looks particularly lovely on the single cover!!)
• (PS Part Two: And I'm loving the sound of the beat of the drum).

**UPDATE ~ STUDIO VERSION**

You might not think that after feasting on the acoustic version of LTS for a few days that there is much more to say about The Overtones new single. Well you will want to take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror, my friend, because you are as wrong as wrong can be. The studio version is an utter sparkling delight of a track, that is saturated in "ooo"s, sumptuous strings, a classic sounding percussive drum beat and even some glorious house-piano accruements! While there is still that definite nod to those wondrous sixties moments of pure, harmony driven pop, there is also an element of what made Stock, Aitken & Waterman so successful in the 80s. Considering my worship of the S/A/W sound & their resurgence in popularity right now, I am giving that as the highest possible compliment (get a Pete Hammond remix on this stat!) One thing that really stands out (particularly during verse 2) is how the harmonies of the entire group are front and centre to the propulsive drive of the song. Love how they make everything such a unified effort. Bring on the album :)