San Francisco indie rock quartet
Cool Ghouls may refute any claims of retroism, but their sound is firmly rooted in mid-'60s rock. Boasting three strong vocalists and uptempo garage-inspired songs that recall both the primitive thump of
the Troggs and the artistic sophistication of
the Millennium, the group's sophomore LP,
A Swirling Fire Burning Through the Rye, is a catchy, compelling, and highly pleasurable set. With its live, spontaneous vibe, jangling 12-string guitars, and occasional psych leanings, the album is peppered with memorable, well-crafted gems like the sprightly "And It Grows" and the majestic,
Revolver-ish "What a Dream I Had." The
Ghouls' vocal blend frequently resembles
the Hollies' sweetly layered stacks, and there's a touch of everyone from
the Seeds to
the Dave Clark Five in their spirited playing. More than anything, they come across like a looser American version of
XTC's alter ego '60s tribute act
the Dukes of Stratosphear, and like
the Dukes, their bottom line is fun. ~ Timothy Monger