Singularly kooky 70s prog-pop heads back.
The only band to be described as “quirky” more times than 10cc, Stackridge were a big live draw in the early 70s, but never quite constructed their defining progressive pop album. The charming The Man In The Bowler Hat from 1974 is the closest they came, their manager having sweettalked George Martin into producing it at Air Studios. He decorates the string arrangements with customary elan and there’s a distinct flavour of Sgt. Pepperstyle experimentation to it, yet Stackridge, for better or worse, were never anybody but themselves.
Seemingly keener on satire than straight-up rock, here they mix elements of folk, music hall and word games. Yet the precision of the melodies and Martin’s layers of warmth make it more accessible than much of…
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Prog (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 142