'American musician Doug Tuttle once of Mmoss has long specialised in the kind of thing he unveils on his latest album Dream Road. Yearning, jangling, occasionally ever so slightly psychedelic guitar driven pop music. Rooted in Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, Byrds and '65 and '66 period Beatles.
On Dream Road he does it again but perhaps better than he's ever done it before. This is mining from a classic seam and Tuttle knows exactly how to go about his craft, exactly what he's after and he doesn't let devotees of this stuff down for a moment. Songs don't outstay their welcome for a moment, most of the tracks here see no need to go beyond the three minute mark. Just as it should be.
So, if you treasure your copies of 5D, Rubber Soul, #1 Record or Grand Prix, then there's plenty here which should take your fancy. Dream Road never sounds derivative though because though Tuttle's sources of inspiration are clear he understands the mechanics of this stuff innately and captures the essence. Every song made me marvel at his ability to make the familiar sound so fresh. The essential secret is that he's a damned good songwriter pure and simple.
Ten songs that sound as if a heart is breaking, just the way it did when you were eighteen, Tuttle never puts a foot wrong. Lennon, McCartney, Chilton and Blake would surely doff their caps to Dream Road's achievement. A golden, and quite lovely guitar record.'
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