Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

The eponymous debut from Gateshead folk rock collective The Last Spectacular sees former Yfriday guitarist Gavin Richards, vocalist Paul Worthington and crew take a confident step into the limelight. Proceedings kick off with the banjo-driven "The Beacon" which betrays a Doors-influenced vocal from Worthington and sets the scene for an album of intriguing lyrical imagery reminiscent of bands such as America and Creedence Clearwater Revival. For the most part, there is a gentle rolling acoustic Americana feel with songs such as "In Search Of Eldorado" - complete with lonesome trumpet intro - drawing more on spaghetti Western influences than the band's Tyneside roots. Upbeat numbers such as "The Streets Of Pensacola" liven matters up with some bluegrass leanings whilst the similarly jaunty "Leaving Canaan" and the more contemplative closer "Jean Louise" are amongst the more directly faith-related songs on this release. Containing material that is not only brilliantly written and expertly executed but which also defines this new group's sound in a way that makes it seem as if they have been around forever, both album and band have every right to lay claim to the word "spectacular" with this release.

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