20/20 - Back To California

The 20/20 story starts back in 1977 when Steve Allen and Ron Flynt left Tulsa, Oklahoma and headed to California hoping for a record deal (fellow Tulsa natives Phil Seymour and Dwight Twilley had followed a similar path a few years earlier).  In 1979, with the addition of Chris Silagyi on keyboards and Phil Seymour filling in on drums after original drummer Mike Gallo was let go, they released their self-titled debut, an album that’s considered a “Power Pop” classic.  They followed it up with a couple more releases in 1981 and 1982 that didn’t quite reach that peak set by the debut and then went their separate ways, although Flynt and Allen did get back together in the ensuing years to release two more albums, 1995’s 4 Day Tornado and 1998’s Interstate.  Now, twenty-seven years after that last album, the duo have written a whole new batch of songs (with the help of Gus Allen on one track), and with Ron’s son Ray on drums, they have recorded the new album Back To California.  While the hooks are plentiful, and songs like “Springtime Love Song”, an energetic, old school power pop tune and the darker, more midtempo “Why Do I Hurt Myself” (check out the guitar work here) harken back to their Seventies sound, many of the other tracks find them venturing in other directions.  Several songs have a really strong roots rock and country influence.  The title track brings to mind The Long Ryders, and after opening with a big power chord crunch, "The End Of Summer" has hints of The Byrds and some great wistful lyrics and sound that match the title perfectly.  There is a hint of Springsteen in both the music and lyrics of "Lucky Heart", and Tom Petty comes to mind on the midtempo rocker "Spark" with its jangly guitars.  They embrace country rock, complete with slide guitar and harmonica, on the infectious, upbeat "King Of The Whole Wide World", and standout track "Laurel Canyon" has somewhat autobiographical lyrics with big ringing guitars and great vocal harmonies giving it a sound that encapsulates its namesake.  “When The Sun Goes Down” is a pretty, kind of melancholy, roots-tinged pop tune with a touch of The Beach Boys and “Long Distance Call” uses harmonium and Wurlitzer to create a dark and mysterious bluesy groove that really sets it apart from the rest of the album.  The album closes fittingly with “Farewell”, an easygoing track about saying goodbye to lost friends and loved ones.  Back To California is a stellar return for the band with well-crafted songs, outstanding musicianship and hooks galore that should please fans old and new. 

(Big Stir Records / Spyderpop Records)