Maybe not since the Nineties has an American group so successfully tapped into a form of music which reached its peak in the Eighties. Baltimore's new band Ready Ave do this so very well that I think I could fool you if I told you any song on Across the Ceiling was some Brit band's lost 7-inch single I found in a Birmingham, UK record shop a few decades ago.
Across the Ceiling is the first offering from Ready Ave and the brief release is full of gems of indie and C86 styles. Hannah Bonczek (vocals), Blake Douglas (instruments, vocals), and Paul Krolian (drums) give this material a lilt that is really winning. "New World Morning Sunshine" echoes stuff like The Gentle Spring and Glo-Worm, while "High Action" sounds like a number of acts on those early Sarah Records compilations. The peppier "My Favorite Saturday" recalls Maryland legends Black Tamourine and (early) Velocity Girl.
With Blake Douglas (Corduroy) and Paul Krolian (Expert Alterations, Smashing Times, Linda Smith's band) in the group, it's no surprise that Ready Ave are so adept at this. It helps that Hannah Bonczek has the right kind of happy/sad voice to make this material work so very well. When indie legend Linda Smith joins in on "Sitting Scenes", things seem even more special. These songs do seem the heirs to Smith's legacy, and it makes perfect sense for her to be on this fine release. This is highly recommended stuff.
Across the Ceiling by Ready Ave is out on Friday on cassette via Japan's Clover Records. Details below via Bandcamp too.
[Photo: Bandcamp]