Blossom Toes – “We Are Ever So Clean” – [Sunbeam Records]

Thurston Hunger   10/22/2010   A Library, CD

Ninth chords, orchestral fanfare, reversed guitar aping raga
runs, french horn interludes, pristine harmonies. I guess
this proves the Beatles tree did not fall in an empty forest.
The production is very much at the forefront here, it is
dynamic, elaborate and yes more than a bit contrived. The Toes
had their chops from what I can spot elsewhere, but this
is super Svengali’d. The lyrics are where the Blossom-mania
shows a run in its paisley nylons. But maybe McCartney
fans will revel in the loss of Lennon’s rankle. Sorry, the
guys from this band may detest all Livermorphing, but perhaps
not as much as Giorgio Gomelsky may have lamented not being
a zillionaire? David Whittaker deserves your attention if
you find the studio boosting lavish (as I do) and not slavish.
Even the Bacharach attack is alright by me. As for the
interluded loony bits, your smileage may vary. This 2007
40-year reissue tacks on extras including a mild Dylan cover
and a Jim Cregan interview splice.

-Thurston Walrus

PS I suspect many KFJC listeners will flip for this, as
this will be a discovery, but one that rings familiar
with some sing-a-along security as opposed to a
discovery that rings their ears with fire. Viva both!