Written by Carlos Redondo
Artist Name: Legal Tender
Album Title: Carbon McCartney
Format: CD
Official Site: http://mcmlegaltender.com
Country: United States
Whether or not Legal Tender acquired their name from the classic B-52’s song is something I have no answer for, but I can safely assume that Carbon McCartney is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the band’s uncanny likeness to the vintage Beatles sound. And, no, don’t even bring up Oasis, who actually knocked off the Rolling Stones’ swagger as much as they did the Beatles’ boyish harmonies. On “Hey Little Girl” and “Tears Away,” vocalist Eric Ross Davenport manages to echo the flawless McCartney/Lennon style without looking like a, ahem, carbon copy. I don’t think this is much a ’60s retread as it is a statement against how dull and pointlessly angry rock & roll has become since that golden age.
Davenport is obviously having a ball here, and it translates to the listener. We pick up on his happiness and enthusiasm, his love for British Invasion pop, glam rock, psychedelia, and even ’70s heavy metal. Notice how cranked up the guitars are on “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah” but remains absolutely melodic. That’s how the English used to play them, kids; dig up your papa’s Mott the Hoople and Sweet records and you’ll see what world (obviously, Ziggy Stardust’s homeland) where Davenport is coming from. Engaging, life-affirming, exhilarating, fun, uplifting: If we can carbon copy more McCartneys like Legal Tender, it’d be a better world.
