Quintessentially English, this second solo outing from Garfields Birthday’s Simon Felton is sunshine in a CD. It's all the fun of the fair with a carnival atmosphere. Close your eyes and you are basking in the summery sun, dipping toes in the sea. You can feel the water lapping around your ankles as each jaunty ditty melds with your consciousness. Don’t be surprised to find yourself humming the catchy hooks long after the final scintillating moment.

From the opening ‘Peepshow’, the jolly ‘Marbles’ takes you on a trip down memory lane, and soon you are swept along by the dreaminess oozing from each song. ‘Surprise’ epitomises the mood and soon you are ‘Lying Down’, floating along with the swirling Wurlitzer. ‘Finally’ sets the tranquil mood before the upbeat ‘Novelty’ breaks open the champagne. Then we are ‘Slowing Down’ again. ‘Compatible’ features the haunting mellotron and then we are treated to Percival Quaint’s violin weaving in between the wah-wah organ and eerie vocals that is ‘Psychedelia Smith’ before being propelled into the darkness of ‘Day Dreams & Broken Bones’.

The multi-talented Pink Hedgehog stalwart Alan ‘Schnauser’ Strawbridge, ably assisted by Californian cult-superstar Anton Barbeau, a veteran of four Pink Hedgehog releases of his own, have hand crafted a gem of a vehicle for Felton’s songs and pure vocal style. This successful team had masterminded his maiden solo release Failing in Biology and their masterful touch two years on makes Surrender, Dorothy! an absolute joy to behold. It is a giant leap forward. Indeed if one did not know better, you could easily be convinced that this was a long lost gem from the Elektra label.

With Surrender, Dorothy!, Pink Hedgehog Records are living up to their name of releasing spine-tingling music. Charting the progress of recent releases from the likes of Hamfatter, Anton Barbeau, Schnauser, Garfields Birthday and now Simon Felton, it is safe to say that PH are fast becoming the litmus test for 21st Century pop. If your ears enjoy the sounds of The Flaming Lips, XTC or The Divine Comedy, they will love this outing.

Aah… Pour me another Pimms!

Mail Order £7.99 (Postage Free)

Use the button above to buy with PAYPAL