The Malibooz
QE2
(The Pier Group)

8/10

By Decibel Report


From the turf of New York State to the surf of California, The Malibooz sound has crossed from the American East Coast to the West Coast and through the decades since as though carried along on a sunshine breeze of 1960s inspired positive sonic vibes by mainstays and Malibooz originators John Zambetti and Walter Egan.

To follow the fuzzy sound found on their recent Queen’s English album, QE2 flows along on a charming wave of warm feelings. The fifteen recorded songs float towards the ears as though on a hazy sunny breeze emanating from a guitar-shaped poolside recording session somewhere in azure hued deepest Malibu.

Transporting the listener back to the perceived innocence of the decade that changed popular music, the carefree and joyful spirit of these tunes rings true back to when the British Invasion changed youth culture, especially Stateside, forever.

Setting a raga riff to a still universal protest slogan, opener Resist jangles in a minor key manner redolent of the days when the 'Summer Of Love' was fading fast into the darker days ahead for the youth of America; portending of hellish times to come. Whereas Heaven smooths musical balm upon the ears as this album's heady blend of Byrds, Love, The Doors and Beatles' sounds coalesce on a fine balance of songwriting.

Capturing a trippy West Coast experimental feel, Familiar Eyes is a song that strongly echoes back down the years mainlining a Jim Morrison and Scott Walker vocal vein. However, it's the progressive and melodious cascade of instrumentation on So Amazing which delivers a huge musical stride into the future for The Malibooz.

Not exactly new wave or totally old wave, QE2 overflows with top tunes to keep your Chelsea Boot toe-tapping along to, including a heartfelt homage to The Beatles on final track We Can Work It Out. Mastered at Abbey Road, QE2 majestically sallies forth flying the flag of beautiful soundwaves inspired by the decade that changed the musical landscape forever.

In keeping with the visual fun of Malibooz' CD releases, there is a nice nautical theme in the metal anchor attached inside the CD casing and a Yellow Submarine hidden in the artwork.