Prepare to be launched into psychedelia. The first Sundowners track I ever heard was ‘If Wishes Were Horses’. It’s an exquisite blend of Jefferson Airplane-inspired acid with Fleetwood Mac-esque harmonies, spiked with twenty-first century freshness. This comparison can be applied to the rest of the songs on the LP; they’ve mastered the rich vibrancy of the late ‘60s sound. A sound, arguably, that will continue to be timeless. The Sundowners might just be one of those rare bands whose music will never go out of date. It seems that they write music purely for the genuine joy of playing it, rather than trying to cater for the masses, like so many others do nowadays.
Their eponymous debut album, mostly recorded in Liverpool’s revered Parr Street Studios, offers the listener an exciting take on folk-rock songwriting. There are punchy tunes such as ‘Soul Responding’ and ‘Back To You’, coupled with the sweet and often melancholic melodies of ‘Hummingbird’ and ‘I Dreamed’. ‘End of the Game’ features a powerful vocal, reminiscent of Grace Slick’s typical singing style. It’s clear from their LP that the band members have a tight chemistry, which allows for a delicate balance between all aspects of their music.
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There’s a hint of The Coral in there, too – unsurprising, considering there’s familial ties between them; James and Ian Skelly produced the album. The vocal pairing of singers Fiona Skelly and Niamh Rowe makes way for beautifully dreamy harmonies, intertwined with shimmering Hendrix-haze guitar from Alfie Skelly. Jim Sharrock’s slick drumming drives the songs forward, making the album exciting and epitomising the rock n’ roll sound. Thickly-applied effects dominate the production, complimenting the girls’ soulful vocals and bright psychedelic instrumentation.
The Sundowners are clearly blazing a trail for the rock revival, leaving amateurs in the wake of their accomplished musicianship. Give this album a go and imagine yourself chilling in the sunshine at Woodstock ’69.
Words by Zia Larty-Healy