The fourth album from the UK-based Young Gun Silver Fox is a continuation of the group’s Yacht Rock-inspired sound. Straight out of the late 70’s/early 80’s Ticket To Shangri La grooves with polished shiny efforts.
The duo of Andy Platts and Shawn Lee concocted ten songs that highlight their west coast AOR love focusing on the groove and helium harmonies. Opener “Still Got It Goin’ On” exclaims that the band is back in top form, kicking off with piano stabs before massive horn runs, guitars, and swelling crescendos, all vibing around Platts’ sugary sweet vocal stylings.
Young Gun Silver Fox worships at the altar of Steely Dan and while some of the sounds can be derivative of that band, they also bring in various other influences this go around. The groovy “West Side Jet” whistles into a hip-shaking joint, infusing vibrant percussion and splashes of Debarge while the disco gleaming “Tip Of The Flame” is a Kool and The Gang inspired, funky bass-driven dance number with soaring vocals.
The snaking guitar line highlights “Rolling Back” as the funky good times keep on bumping with late night get down feeling, before the smooth electro keys and gorgeous brass deliver glorious results on “Simple Imagination”. The first five tracks are all directly on point as high gloss, club-ready, dance songs, but things shift gears for the less successful, dreamy “Sierra Nights” which floats away into ballad land.
“Lodestar” stays soft in a War On Drugs fashion as the tempo slowly creeps back up. The band goes all out with their Hall and Oates love for the smooth “Winners”, bringing in chimes, trumpets and crazy guitar effects which support the title. Finishing up strongly the record wraps with a Stevie Wonder tribute track “Freak Flag” as drums and bass lead the charge, pushing the brilliant brass hits, pristine vocals, and electro-key runs.
Fans of Young Gun Silver Fox know what to expect with Ticket To Shangri La, while newcomers will be transported back in time to the era of incredibly tight production, pastel sonic pastures, soaring vocals, and bright, lightly funky dance tracks that try to bring sunshine and smiles to all listeners.
