This two track release from The Half-Cubes is, in power pop terms, pure gold. Its pedigree is assured thanks to two different aspects. Firstly, as their name suggests, this band are made up from half of power pop legends The Flashcubes and, secondly, the tracks featured are both re-workings of classics from the Eric Carmen catalogue. Although neither track has been drastically rethought, both sound great with a brighter production sound than Carmen’s original recordings were ever afforded. ‘My Girl’, in particular, plays like a genre classic for 2024, despite its mid 70s vintage.

Following a brief burst of synth, ‘My Girl’ explodes into the ultimate power pop treat. A classic McCartney-esque rumpty tumpty rhythm lays the foundations, over which a stabbed piano and Carol Kaye inspired bassline help to anchor the solid groove. Any flourishes of a Beach Boys past are amplified by a hazy middle eight which borrows shamelessly from ‘God Only Knows’ and a wall of vocals that are very much the construct of the Wilson brothers circa 1966, but it’s actually elsewhere that this cover tune really shines. In particular, fans of great power pop and alt-pop will find themselves gravitating towards a superb verse where the McCartney love is joined by a careening vocal and a melody that now, thanks to a post-70s production sound, brings this number closer to sounding like XTC circa ‘Oranges & Lemons’. Wherever you drop into this recording, though, The Half-Cubes strong musicianship and love for the material in hand cuts through everything with an incredible sharpness.

Taking a similarly bright and breezy approach, ‘Someday’ now sounds like a lost classic from 1983, despite the Carmen recording dating from five years earlier. With the pop sheen applied here, its impossible not to hear the strains of 10cc coming through The Half-Cubes’ layered vocals, and the excessive use of bells and handclaps further accentuates their mastery of the studio. This is another celebration of great pop, and between a strident lead vocal and soaring lead guitars that sound as if Andrew Gold has made a miraculous return, it’s a recording that makes an immediate impact – perhaps even more so than some of those beloved Flashcubes recordings from yesteryear.

Although this is merely just a preview of a forthcoming album, both tracks play strongly in isolation. Both are a timely reminder of both The Flashcubes’ greatness, and of how – when delivered absolutely right – great power pop never gets old. If you’re a fan of The ’Cubes, you’ll certainly want to hear this, and if you’re already a fan of the Carmen originals, you should prepare to hear a couple of great tunes reworked in a superior fashion. Without wishing to oversell these tracks, this double single release is absolutely superb.

September 2024