The Sons Of Bido Lito ‘Avalanche’ (Dirty Water Records)

Hailing from the Sunderland, you’ll probably be surprised to hear that The Sons Of Bido Lito are more influenced by the psychedelic/garage sounds of 60s America than the indie bands of north-east England.

Their previous release was a 5-track CDr and this their first release for London’s highly esteemed garage label sees a marked progression away from the faster, brasher sound of that first EP to a more thoughtful, considered direction with a pop-tinged psychedelic sensibility. Think of Love, The Doors, The Yardbirds but this is no derivative pastiche by a group of sixties wanabees, both songs are skilfully under-pinned by basslines with ‘Avalanche’ having a driving beat and the B-side ‘Twelve Commandments’, which accompanied by melodic organ takes the listener on a serene journey that could easily be a soundtrack to road trip through the valleys of California or the hills of Andalucia.

Innovative and refreshing, let’s hope there’s an album in the not too distant future. 7.8/10

Ray Nicholl