Album Review: The Bablers — Psychadilly Circus
My copies of Imagine and Mind Games are on vinyl, so I knew I hadn’t mistakenly loaded one of them into my CD player. But the cognitive dissonance remained as I absorbed “Love is Everything,” the opening track on The Bablers’ Psychadilly Circus. Imagine a non-satirical rethink of National Lampoon’s “Magical Misery Tour” and you’ll have some sense of the song’s vibe.
The Bablers are from Finland, a country that continues to surprise me (see also: Micke Bjorklof). Led by Arto Tamminen, the group conjures the feel of early ‘70s Lennon. But it does more than that. The stomping title track has a character closer to glam-era T. Rex, albeit with treated vocals. As its title none-too-subtly telegraphs, “Queen of Yesterday” will make every listener think of Paul McCartney, straddling his Sgt. Pepper style with the approach Wings used circa Venus and Mars.
It’s fun to play spot-the-influences with this album. If Wings released “I Hope it Wouldn’t Rain Tomorrow” right after “Juniors Farm,” fans would’ve lapped it up. “All Because of You” is Johnny Moondog again. “Unidentified” is London Town era Paul. The pastoral White Album McCartney informs “Where Were You My Friend.”
And on it goes, with original tunes that distill the essence of yesteryear while never ever ripping off the sources of their inspiration. As its title hints, “Some Tears” feels like Plastic Ono Band Lennon, with a bit of Flux Fiddlers fiddling in the background. “Angry Young Man” recalls “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.” “Love to Live” feels like a Mind Games outtake with George lending a hand on slide guitar, and Band on the Run-era Paul on harmonies.
Shall I continue? “Walking on a Sunny Beach” is more mid-’70s Paul, circa Speed of Sound. “Child of War,” check with White Album John. The jangling “When You Were Growing” reaches back to Revolver and Rubber Soul for its inspiration. “Singing with the Bluebird,” I don’t have you tell you from where that one draws. A remix of the opening track concludes the album.
As an exercise in creating original music using someone else’s signature arrangement and melody ideas, Psychadilly Circus is an unqualified success. But it’s every bit as successful as a standalone musical experience. It’ll make Beatles fans smile, while making them Bablers fans in the process. Bravo.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.