The Society of Rockets - Tough Trip Through Paradise (2024) Hi-Res

While other writers have cited an influence by George Harrison (agreed), Gene Clark (yes) & Richard Hawley – the first track of this new effort by San Francisco’s The Society of Rockets is wholly Nick Drake-inspired. The vocals, hymnal melody & gentle acoustic guitar with melancholy overtones on “Amen” – it’s what Nick Drake may have sounded like if he allowed a full-tilt band to back him up.

By track 2 “Doors Are Opening,” the band slides into a Byrds circa Gene Clark era & it’s done with finesse & class. However, the break mixes George Harrison with Roger McGuinn’s chiming guitars. Quite good. Easy on the ears & memorable. This is for people who remember the great hit sounds of 60s radio. But the Harrison style is more fully realized on “Built To Last,” & “Treasure In Hand,” even the vocals are a bit in Harrison’s tradition. However, the songs alone are more firmly designed as a Tom Petty attraction. Good either way. Nice melody & arrangement that’s consistent.

The 10 disciplined pieces that makeup Tough Trip Through Paradise are more like new songs with nostalgic ingredients. The performances are all commendable. The Society has been banging about for over 20 years & this 8th studio album shows their experience clearly.

With “Don’t Be Afraid,” it seems the band is grazing in the fields of 10cc (“I’m Not In Love”) & they do a good job of it. But this style is somewhat dated to 2024. “Golden State,” has the Jeff Lynne Electric Light Orchestra touch & this is done as a highly lacquered presentation. Where ELO would attack with strings SOR inserts horns & that wall of sound ELO approach is there. Nice job. Not as powerful as The Beaver Brothers (“You’ll Never Believe It” from “Ventriloquisms”) but that was a supernatural stab at ELO.

“Smoke & Mirrors” seems like it comes from the era of Stackridge & The Korgis (ex-Stackridge James Warren & Andy Davis) who played & sang similar songs in the same manner. It’s a music hall presentation dollied up in a tint of progressive music. It makes it all an interesting listen.