Sophomore Release

Album Review

Bubblegum Lemonade is the brainchild of Scottish pop obsessive Laz McCluskey, who handles nearly all the instrumental and vocal chores himself, and on his first full-length album, 2008's Doubleplusgood, McCluskey wore his indie pop influences on his sleeve for all to see and hear. On the second Bubblegum Lemonade album, cleverly titled Sophomore Release, McCluskey again wears his indie pop influences on his sleeve for all to see and hear; considering that the vast majority of his inspiration comes from acts at least 25 years old, expecting any striking changes in his approach would probably be foolish, and ultimately, Sophomore Release is another variation on the same themes McCluskey has offered us before. However, if Bubblegum Lemonade haven't changed much this time out, Sophomore Release is recognizably more accomplished and confident than the debut; McCluskey's wall of jangly guitars is more solid and his technique more precise, the percussion is more assured, the harmonies (which include vocals from Sandra of Strawberry Whiplash, one of McCluskey's other projects) blend better and add a gentle sweetness, and the songs hit their targets with greater accuracy. Bubblegum Lemonade's world begins with the Byrds and the invention of jangly folk-rock in the '60s and ends as the C-86 bands were fading out later in the '90s, but McCluskey's continued study of this body of work (and continued application of what he's learned) yields results that will please anyone who thrives on classic indie pop. Someone once said that AC/DC keep making the same album over and over, but since it's a great album, why quibble? It's not hard to see something similar happening with Bubblegum Lemonade. McCluskey's objects of fascination and his interpretation of their magic has been thoroughly consistent so far, but the results are two albums filled with fine songs played with intelligence and enthusiasm. So as long as the Bubblegum isn't broken, McCluskey need not fret about fixing it.