Not, as you might first think, a Monkees tribute act recording a song from an old Paul Weller album, but the second single from a band formed around the singing and songwriting talents of Michael Clarke, a lanky young lad from Walsall. Despite embarking on his first UK tour just a year ago, Clarkesville has just been confirmed to support Sheryl Crow at the Shepherds Bush Empire in December.
Needless to say he's had a meteoric push by his record company who obviously think he's got the talent to be the next Evan Dando. Judging by this slice of Lemonheads-y mid-tempo power pop, they might just be right.
With a warm, vintage guitar sound, West-coast style harmonies and bittersweet lyrics, Heavy Soul breezes along nicely, with just a hint of gurgling keyboards sunk behind some very American-sounding vocals. Anyone going to that Sheryl Crow gig could do well to turn up a bit earlier.
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