CD REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – BACK FOR MORE

Shane | 28 April 2023 | Reply

CD REVIEW: THE ON AND ONS – BACK FOR MORE
Citadel
October 2021
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
85%

Take a trip Back in time for More of The On and Ons – back to a time when The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, The Flamin’ Groovies, The Monkees and a zillion other legends of hyper-melodic sunshiney power-pop ruled rock n’ roll.

For newcomers, The On And Ons are an Aussie combo comprised of brothers Glenn and Brian Morris (vocals & guitar, drums, respectively) and Clyde Bramley (ex-Hoodoo Gurus, bass) who make a gloriously good time noise that’ll make you pinch yourself and wonder, ‘how can this just be three dudes?’

The term ‘power pop’ always makes me think more of The Stems and their paisley n’ sugar riffs, than Cheap Trick, but they do both have one thing in common with The On And Ons – ridiculously catchy songs, melodies that don’t so much squat instantly in your brain as build a three story mansion by the end of the first chorus and refuse to ever move out.

Back For More has more in common with the aforementioned ‘60s tunesmiths, though. Hideaway sounds straight out of the Beatles songbook circa Rubber Soul; the title track has harmonies directly express posted from just this side of heaven; and you’ll swear you’ve heard Better Every Day before, because of its remarkable similarity to US hard rock band Tesla’s Getting’ Better.

Your Kinda World takes us back to the West Coast dream pop rock of The Byrds and The Monkees; If You’re Gonna treads grittier Kinks/Pretty Things territory; Truth Gets Started and Feel Like You Tonight are imbued with Beatles/Who/Kinks familiarity, and the lush production and glorious harmonies throughout are simply wonderful.

The On And Ons are always welcome round our way, and having dug this review out of a dusty old folder where it has languished sad and alone for over a year, I am very glad that a new album is imminent. Stay tuned.