Trading his tricorn for a top hat, Captain Walsh hits the studios once again for this seventh power pop gem. Since 1999 and the opening acts of Television, Pugwash have followed in the shadows of their three-lettered influences, E.L.O. and XTC in front. Twenty years of efficient guitar pop later, compliments received from Jeff Lynne and Andy Partridge, Thomas Walsh leaves Pugwash’s flexible formation to go solo. Or almost. A phone call to Jason Falkner, who collaborated with Air, Paul McCartney and Beck (among others), and ten months later, the old friends give birth to Silverlake in Los Angeles. A long way from Drimnagh’s milky sky under which Walsh was born and will eventually die. Some will give their blessings to the catchy The Perfect Summer, Why Do I and Without You. Eleven uneven titles, among which there are some lesser known tracks that, without bringing the house down, will sound prettier the more you listen to them and will go from anecdotal to necessary. © CS/Qobuz