New York’s The Lemon Twigs have made a career out of digging for gold in the past. Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario make the kind of music that used to blast from transistor radios in the early 70s. AM pop like The Hollies, The Raspberries, Big Star, Beach Boys; as well as more modern purveyors of bubblegum and power pop like Jellyfish, Red Kross, The Grays, and Wondermints.
The D’Addarios’ look as if they just walked off the stage of The Midnight Special, or The Old Gray Whistle Test. And their sound is built on wilting harmonies, minor key ballads, and a knack for almost baroque melodies.
Brother Brian has just released his debut solo LP called Till The Morning. It is as you would assume(hope) it would be, a lilting collection of power pop and indie jangle. Filled to the brim with beautiful strings, AM rock splendor, and that tight, thoughtful, and catchy pop music we’ve come to love and expect from Brian’s main gig.
What do you get with opener and title track “Till The Morning”? A rolling and rollicking pop rock classic that sounds like an unreleased Procol Harum track, complete with a Matthew Fisher Hammond organ part. “Song For Everyone” has touches of Paul McCartney and Gilbert O’Sullivan, a low key ballad with an old-timey, jaunty rhythm. “Nothing on my Mind” has touches of The Byrds and Gram Parsons. A great, upbeat acoustic strummer with some harmonies courtesy of Brian’s brother Michael.
The highlights here are the gorgeous ballads. The D’Addario brothers have a knack for heavenly vocals. Siblings have a way of harmonizing and locking in that is unique to family, and songs like “Only To Ease My Mind”, “Company”, and “What You Are Is Beautiful” are simply some of the most beautiful pop music you’ll likely come across in the year 2025. Touches of The Zombies and even The Mamas and the Papas come through vocally, while the melodies are baroque and melancholy. “Useless Tears” soars with a wonderful string section accompanying the vocals and acoustic guitar. “Spirit Without a Home” closes the record, a memorable and maudlin piano ballad that will echo in your head long after the last notes ceases to resonate.
Till The Morning is another fantastically catchy and beautiful 60s pop album from Brian D’Addario, with some help from his brother Michael. They don’t make ’em like this anymore.
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