GRAHAM GOULDMAN - THE GRAHAM GOULDMAN THING - PSYCH - NEW

LP MINT & UNPLAYED

1968's "The Graham Gouldman Thing" featured an interesting mixture of  hits he'd penned for others and newer material. Up tempo and commercial pop, Gouldman had a likeable if occasionally anonymous voice, displaying a nifty knack for penning irritatingly catchy melodies.  Nothing here was as cutesy as his forthcoming Hotlegs or the 10cc catalog, though 'Pawnbroker' served as a precursor of that future direction.  Highlights included the English single 'Upstairs, Downstairs', his version of 'For Your Love' and 'No Milk Today'. 

- Complete with Baroque orchestration, 'The Impossible Years' made it clear Gouldman had been listening to 'Yesterday'.  The thing is that whereas most 'Yesterday'-styled songs such, Gouldman was smart enough to make sure the song had a killer hook.  Fantastic effort.
- It's ironic that folks associate The Hollies with 'Bus Stop'.  True they had a massive hit with the song, but judging by the Gouldman original they seem to have done a straight rip off his version.  Surprised The Hollies didn't simply wipe off Gouldman's vocal tracks and slap their vocals on ...
- A pretty, but pompous and forgettable ballad, two thirds of 'Behind the Door' didn't do much for me.  The exception was the two thirds of the way into the track where there was an abrupt tempo change with the song ending as a rocker.
- As briefly mentioned, 'Pawnbroker' highlighted Gouldman's knack for clever lyrics.  The also sounded like a near-perfect Al Stewart knockoff.  Great acoustic guitar made it one of my favorite performances.
- 'Who Are They' was a nice atmospheric rocker and one of the few tracks where Gouldman made no attempt to embedded a pop feel on the results.  Great song with a lyrical turn that's always made me smile -  "drip-dry dressed unshrinkable ...'  My choice for the standout performance.
- Another pretty ballad, but 'My Father' was just to sensitive singer/songwriter for me.   Yech!
- 'No Milk Today' was clearly written with an ear for top-40 success.  Anyone who enjoyed The Hollies mid-1960s catalog (including 'Bus Stop') was bound to fall in love with this one.
- Like the previous track 'Upstairs, Downstairs' was also written to ensure commercial acceptance, but this time around it seemed to have been penned with a Mersybeat flavor - killer guitar hook makes it impossible to shake out of your head.
- 'For Your Love' was probably the biggest surprise to my ears.  The Yardbirds version remains the classic take, but it's surprising to hear how much of Gouldman's original arrangement and vocal delivery they kept.  
- 'Pamela, Pamela' was one of those English pop-psych-meets-vaudeville efforts that you either love, or hate with a passion.  I'm in the former category, so think the track's great.  How many other rock songs can you thing of that name check Laurel and Hardy?
- The album ended with the unexpected soul-influenced instrumental 'Chestnut'.  Technically I guess it wasn't a true instrumental since Gouldman blurted out some English garden narrative nonsense halfway through.  Surprisingly funky and would have made Steve Cropper proud ...

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