Second full-length release from Detroit, MI power-trio. If you’re already familiar with MOD LANG, who share a member with SHADOW SHOW, you know how these Detroit kids can nail retro-infusion style bands. MOD LANG have got to be the most authentic sounding throwback power-pop band I have ever seen, while SHADOW SHOW focus more on revival 60’s pop-psychedelia. “Mystic Spiral” comes closest to this stylistic choice and is the standout track of the 12 songs on this cassette. “On A Cloud” isn’t far behind, driven by BYRDS-esque guitar jangle and vocal harmonies. These tracks sit near the start and end of this cassette, bookending the album and making the bread easily the best damn part of this sandwich. Somewhere between the song-writing and the production this feels far too modern to be proper throwback 60’s psych. It ends up weirdly sounding like a modern band wanting to write throwback 60’s psychedelic music in the 90’s. Like if there had been one more slot on the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack next to “Beautiful Stranger” by MADONNA. And who can blame them for trying that, since we all know that is the best MADONNA album, right? The moments in ‘Fantasy Now!’ that sound more like classic era psychedelia hit a lot harder than the parts that sound like modern artsy indie-rock bands like FLEET FOXES or ANIMAL COLLECTIVE or something.

Label: self-released.

LP version available on Little Cloud Records and Stolen Body Records.  CD version available in Japan on Water Room Records.

Band: SHADOW SHOW