Springloader: Just Like Yesterday (Failsafe, digital outlets)

The excellent, on-going Failsafe reissue/release programme continues with this bright, blazing collection of disciplined, assertive and loud power pop with hooks so huge you could haul out a Great White with one.

The band is a vehicle for Failsafe's Rob Mayes whose guitar playing here is something quite extraordinary.

There's an interesting backstory to this album: the original band of Mayes, singer/guitarist Michael Oakley, drummer Dave Toland and bassist Che Rogers got together in 1993 but after gigs and some recording the band had a hiatus while Mayes was in the UK.

Some material with demo vocals and incomplete material appeared in 2005 but in 2020 Mayes, Oakley and Rogers hooked up again and picked up where they left off. That is quite some gap but the times may be now more appreciative of what Springloader have to offer by way of big sounds.

And this is what appears on the appropriately titled Just Like Yesterday . . . with a follow-up (One More Thing) is expected next year.

What's in hand is exhilarating powered-up shoegaze, hard pop and chiming melodic songs like Now I Know which was one of the few songs that came out in the band's first iteration. With its slightly droning quality you do wonder why it wasn't a huge radio hit at the time when Britpop was all over the place.

Now I Know

Elsewhere is the measured Closer to Further Away which moves from self-doubt and sense of defeat into a soaring release.

What is striking about Springloader is their keen sense of melody at the songs' core (the title track, All That I Want, One More Thing), their sonic power (Too Close) and emotional intensity (Nothing I Want More, the punk thrash of Control).

Presented as a gatefold CD with background notes and a lyric booklet, this is yet another handsome and lovingly packaged collection from Failsafe.

While radio and many listeners were looking the other way, Failsafe was delivering consistently impressive rock and songs.

Still is.

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You can hear and buy Failsafe albums from their bandcamp site here