Listening to Joe Symes latest offering ‘Phase II’. An album that tells the tale of a long and winding road. Where the first album evokes a nostalgic nod towards Merseybeat and that new rock & roll of the era, this album brings that British sound right up to date. A modern slice of Mod, pushing on from bands like The Jam, The Chords and The Prisoners, and with a focus on a more melodic rock under base, they have created an album that is more open and honest.

This album sees the band going beyond the initial influences and, in as sense, confines of those influences. It’s amusing that for a band that released such a strong first album echoing so completely their Liverpool heritage they found it difficult to find good gigs in Liverpool. As if somehow being musically proud of the city and the sound was not good enough for certain Liverpool ears. Luckily the band found much more welcoming attitudes outside of the city. Gaining audiences not just in Britain but globally. Funny how bands from outside Liverpool, rehashing the Beatles are lauded in this city by certain sections, take a bow Oasis.

Now with years of touring behind them, the band return with a musical maturity that sees them spreading their musical wings and bringing in a bigger sound. A little dirtier, a little wiser and a whole lot more today. Merseyside has seen a resurgence of that Mod/Rock/Pop sound, led by bands such as Shardy and Chester’s Hollywood Eyes, and Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, are the flagship band. This album rightfully places them up there as a band not only rooted to this city, but gaining critical acclaim across the pond in that there US of A. But this band have led this invasion on their own. They have put in the work, they have bled onstage, they have travelled the miles.

They have tread a very long furrow and now with this release they have raised the bar for themselves and others. Nearly every track has an anthemic feel. Foot tapping, sing along, feel good tracks abound, such as ‘Blame It On Yourself’ and my personal favourite (for now), Track 10 ‘Turn Me On, Turn Me Out Tonight.’ Songs such as ‘Summers Almost Coming’ feels so expansive, it almost jostles you to breathe deep breaths and dream. This is such an uplifting album, that at its heart recognises Liverpool as its birthplace, but is music for the world, (including this city).

The dreaded 2nd album has been well and truly blown away by ‘Phase II’. Every track offers something. There are no fillers, shortcuts or cheap shots. The band have given so much of themselves in this work and when you mix that in with their live gigs, it provides a heady cocktail of great rock & roll and passion for music.

Go like their page. Buy the album, support a local band!