Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys invariably ends in first place when the best album of all time is chosen. But as much as the music of Brian Wilson and his group is admired and praised, few have felt a call to continue this tradition. The London band The High Llama's dared to do it under the leadership of frontman Sean O'Hagan. On albums such as Gideon Gaye (1994) and Cold & Bouncy (1998) they
… managed to approach the rich symphonic sound of the (late) Beach Boys eerily close, which also resulted in severe criticism. Unjustified, because O'Hagan's songs have their own signature. On the seventh album Beet, Maize & Corn, The High Llama's have definitely transcended epigonism. All elements (bass, drums, guitar) reminiscent of a band have disappeared, but the sound is richer than ever, with layered arrangements in which subtle fragments of choirs, strings and brass work pass by. It all has little to do with rock and roll, with quiet listening songs of timeless beauty all the more. (MS)more
