The Greek Theatre – Lost Out At Sea

Review by Jason Barnard

Few records effortlessly ooze a natural embodiment of their influences like the new album from The Greek Theatre. Sounding like an undiscovered early seventies West Coast classic the group envelop Americana bleached with LA psych and Surfs Up Beach Boys. 

Incredibly The Greek Theatre are a pair of Swedes, Sven Froberg and Frederick Persson who, a few summers back, locked themselves away in a Swedish cabin to record 44 tracks that will form the basis of their next four albums, all with a different feel, “Lost Out At Sea” being the first.

Opening with the sea lapping into “Even You Will Find A Home”, imagine  Arthur Lee and Gram Parsons collaborating in 68 for a Love out-take. Every track as well as being sweetly sung and arranged, are melodically strong setting them apart from their peers.

Country rock infused gem “Frozen Highway” sounds like a single as soon as you hear it; it builds into the chorus and has lovely guitar work. “Overprotection Doesn’t Work” goes to the heart of the Beach Boys, whilst “Close In My Arms” is far better than what Nashville calls country today.

However the album’s centrepiece is “Hold On”. If Brian Wilson recorded this today it would be hailed as a dramatic return to his post Pet Sounds ballads such as “Til I Die”. It is a stunning song and this track alone would merit the album’s purchase.

Closing with the folk rock psych of “Stupid Constapleton”, its Alright Ma Fairport that intriguingly points to a new direction. Marvelous.

Out now on Truce records:

http://thegreektheatre1.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/greektheatreband

On Sugarbush Records vinyl – limited

Yellow Vinyl £19.99, Black vinyl copies only £9.99, both include postage anywhere:

http://www.sugarbushrecords.com/p/new-sugarbush-records-page.html