The Lemon Twigs are a band that arose in the mid- 2010’s with a fresh take on 70s sounds. But in recent years, they’ve targeted a unique style of music, AM pop. Keep reading for more about these uniquely nostalgic figures.
Subverting Nostalgia
Classic Rock is one of the most marketable radio genres around. Not a genre in the truest sense of the word, Classic Rock is a catch-all for the canon of hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s — the type that youngsters label “Dad Rock.” No matter where you go in the country, there’s going to be a radio station blasting your favorite rock hits.
Many bands have capitalized on this. Greta Van Fleet has drawn criticism and praise for their similarity to rock icons Led Zeppelin. Even back in the 2000s, bands like Wolfmother were aping the songs of classic rock.
The Lemon Twigs started as a band in a similar vein, with their David-Bowie-esque “These Words” and the old-school rock and roll sound of “Foolin’ Around”. But with their 2023 album Everything Harmony, everything changed.
AM Pop
AM Pop is another great “unofficial” genre, categorizing the type of Top 40 easy-listening pop that you’d hear on AM radio in the 70s. Musicians like Badfinger, Al Stewert, Todd Rundgren, and Billy Preston were kings of the genre, with perhaps the most obvious example of that sort of sunny music being “Drift Away.”
Though these songs were extremely popular at the time and remain popular with older listeners now, you don’t hear many hip young bands imitate this style, and you probably won’t hear them on Classic Rock radio.
But on the Lemon Twigs 2023 album Everything Harmony, all of the most wistful and sweet sounds of the 70s are channeled. Take for instance “Any Time of Day”, which features almost too-sweet harmonies, drifty pianos and guitars, a complex chord structure, and a series of big key changes that soar to over-the-top heights. “The Corner of My Eye” even reminds one of later stage Frank Valli ballad “My Eyes Adored You”
A Continued Streak
The Lemon Twigs followed this album up with A Dream is All We Know. Straight from the opener, “My Golden Years,” you can hear the influences of the softer sides of 70s rock, calling bands to harmony-based songs like “Take it Easy” by The Eagles or certain songs by America.
“They Don’t Know How to Fall in Line” reminds one of the Faces, and songs like “A Dream is All We Know” is reminiscent of the pop masterpiece “Coz I Love You” by Slade or the unexpected vocal twists and turns of “How Deep Is Your Love.”
(A Bonus Recommendation)
If you liked this nostalgic exploration of an unexpected genre, we’ve got one more for you. Mike Patton of Faith No More released an album in 2010 called Mondo Cane, featuring reworkings of many traditional pop songs from Italy.
If you had a mother or grandmother who grew up listening to the sounds of Fred Buscaglione, this is for you.
-Christian Flynn
Photo: The Lemon Twigs, 2023 (HoodedBeast09 via Wikimedia Commons)
I feel like not enough people who’ve only heard FNM know that Mike Patton is a ridiculously great singer.
I agree! To me he’s one of pop music’s great eccentrics, up there with Zappa and Miles Davis. Maybe I’ll do a piece on him if he releases something new soon. Have you heard his 2019 collaboration with the dude who did Serge Gainsbourg’s arrangements, Corpse Flower? It’s one of my favorite of his. Awesome to hear him croon over french-inspired tunes.
Sound like:
Raspberries?
Todd Rundgren?
Beach Boys?
Yeah?
Rundgren in a big way, especially when you consider how many of those 70s breezy rock albums he produced as well.
Wow, I’m now a fan of the Lemon Twigs. I couldn’t help but think of Jellyfish a bit, but as much due to thinking or paying homage, I guess. Regardless, I really dig this. As I was of single-digit age the first seven years of the 70s, AM pop radio was really my first musical experience the the Twigs hits nicely for me. Which reminds me, I’d love a mix of 70s AM pop radio station jingles…
It is nice to see the Lemon Twigs getting well-deserved ink! I consistently detect a strong Brian Wilson influence in their musical style. Great article!