Paul Kelly has a vision. It's a vision of big pop done on DIY terms. He's on a superb indie label in WIAIWYA, and he's assembled a squad of folks to help bring his vision to life on the latest album from The Martial Arts. In There Like Swimwear is as bright and tuneful as what ruled mainstream airwaves a few decades ago, but which seems almost anachronistic here in the 21st century.
"Hold On Full of Hope", the big opener, draws upon the same things that fueled those Jellyfish albums, and likely gave spark to the lads in The Supernaturals in their early years too. Smartly upbeat, the tune benefits from vocals from Carla J. Easton (TeenCanteen, solo), Kim Grant (Raveloe), and Sice (The Boo Radleys, Eggman). It's a showstopper and it just is the start of the show. Elsewhere, the clever "The Attractions" pays tribute to Armed Forces-era Elvis Costello and the Attractions, while "Working on My Eyes" soars after an opening which seems in debt to The Associates. This isn't appropriation since Paul Kelly has a way of making his compositions feel like the rightful heirs to the traditions of the artists who clearly influenced his compositions.
At his best, like on the Queen-ish "No Victory", a recent Track of the Week here, Paul Kelly shows an affinity for building to a huge chorus, ornamenting the climb with smart percussion here from Stu Kidd (KiDD, BMX Bandits) and backing vocals from Nicola West (How To Swim). That one, a highlight on a record full of them, sits nicely next to the verbal rush of "Something in the Water", a Sparks-y gem. These numbers reveal Paul Kelly's knack for ornamenting a hook just enough without overdoing it. I mean, there are like a dozen ideas in these selections, but they're all good ones that any other band would kill for, you know?
Criminally underrated, The Martial Arts deserve to be huge. In an earlier age they'd have singles jostling with ones from The Supernaturals and Robbie Williams in the UK charts. I dig the throwback elements in this material, but I also respect Paul Kelly's stance at making music this melodic on his own terms. It's indie in sensibility, but as fun and accessible as a stack of 7-inch singles from Elton John and ELO.
In There Like Swimwear by The Martial Arts is out this week on WIAIWYA.
[Photo: Craig McIntosh]