Long after their 1973 breakup,
the Byrds continued to be a major influence on guitar pop and jangly guitar acts. One of the strongest Byrds-influenced groups to make their presence felt in the late 1990s was
the Van Delecki's, whose sophomore effort of 1999,
Ebum Shoobum Shoobum, often sounds like it could have been recorded in 1969. The North Carolina duo is right out of
the Byrds' school of ultra-melodic, harmony-minded pop/rock. While pearls like "Desperation Is...," "Oleen," and "Nurse Ratched" aren't the least bit innovative, they're thoroughly engaging and make it clear that
the Van Delecki's have mastered the two H's: hooks and harmonies. Indeed, anyone who has spent hours upon hours savoring
the Byrds and their many disciples will find "Bag," "Falling to Grace," "I Love to Pretend," and other songs on this album impossible to resist.
Ebum Shoobum Shoobum is a captivating, if derivative, disc that lovers of jangly guitar music shouldn't miss. ~ Alex Henderson