Short Reviews [The Pretty Things - 2017 - "The Same Sun"]

UK band THE PRETTY THINGS have been around for more than 50 years, and is (or now perhaps was) an institution in the British rock scene. The 7 inch vinyl EP "The Same Sun" is one of the last releases from the band, who had their official farewell tour last year. The title track is the primary reason for getting this single. A classic guitar and organ driven affair, with an impact chorus and tasteful psychedelic flavorings topping up the song. Perhaps not all that progressive, but a testimony that less elaborately structured songs can be highly interesting when explored by a skilled and experienced crew. As with the title track, Renaissance Fair is also pulled from the final studio album of The Pretty Things, 2015's "The Sweet Pretty Things (Are in Bed Now, of Course...)". To my ears this song is on the weaker side, with a start and stop structure and a somewhat rougher edge to it, but it is also the song here with the closest relation to progressive rock as far as structure is concerned. The second side of the 7 inch vinyl EP consists of live recordings from the 60's. She Says Good Morning is a strong and entertaining affair also in this live, lo-fi recording, indicating just how much of a quality creation this one is. The rather more simplistic Alexander is more of an energetic affair, but loose out a bit on the ravages of time as a song as well as the lo-fi quality of the recording. Spirited though, and entertaining on that level. While perhaps not being a much have production in itself, fans of the band might well want to track down this vinyl single. That is, if it can be found these days. Just about all releases from the label that released this 7 inch vinyl EP sell out sooner rather than later, and their releases are deemed to be collector's items to boot. Which, I guess, is a good reason in itself to get this one if you can find it at a reasonable price somewhere.