A Coming of Age (Bonus Track Version)

iTunes Review

The second full-length release from England’s Lucky Soul takes their version of ‘60s pop and puts it in full-mod gear, serving up a platter of tunes brimming with confidence and their own sense of musical history. A Coming of Age revisits ‘60s girl groups, folk-pop, and British Northern Soul, but adds a sprinkling of more contemporary sounds — like the Sundays and Saint Etienne — to the mix. Ali Howard’s voice is as strong and pure as Sandie Shaw’s and Petula Clark’s were back in the day (especially on “Upon Hilly Fields” and “Southern Melancholy”), and her bounce and energy recalls the Supremes and other classic, bee-hived divas on “Up In Flames “ and “Love3.” The swaggering, handclap-driven “Whoa Billy!” merges a ‘60s construct with a glittering ‘70s-disco shine, while the hugely catchy “White Russian Doll” blends classic girl-group trilling with a more modern-day guitar pop vibe. The title track admirably melds all these flavors into an embarrassment of dazzling, big screen-worthy riches.