Allan Crockford, the Galileo 7 band leader, vocalist and guitarist, is best known for his place as bassist in the seminal Medway band the Prisoners. The Galileo 7’s Paisley Underground 1960’s vibe and approach is however something completely different than the Prisoners.

The musical tone of the opener ‘Don’t Follow Me’ is largely warm and welcoming, even if the lyric suggests not following leaders. The Galileo 7’s overall sound is nevertheless upbeat and positive: “The world is crumbling but I feel no pain.” On ‘My Cover is Blown’ the Paisley friendly sonics wash over the listener.

These are sharp, edgy but exuberant pop tunes with a blissful 1960’s resonance. ‘You’re Not Dreaming’ counsels “Tell me how can you be bored when you adore me.”

‘False Memory Lane’ is the reflective and thoughtful title track, trying to make sense of the world, in its psychedelic swirl, and simultaneously a touch Beatlesque. “They say that nostalgia’s not what it was.”

‘Nobody Told You’ is a sweet pop candy nugget with stinging guitar, rollicking Mellotron and a lyric about finding truth.

‘Don’t Know What I’m Waiting For’ is spurred on by a propulsive drum beat.
‘Tide’s Rising’ possesses something of a questioning-the-spiritual bend, speaking to some kind of mystical fervour in the air: “There’s no apocalypse behind your fears that can’t be fixed.”

The closer ‘Little By Little’ starts with a whirlwind of crunchy guitars and vocal whispers.

Allan Crockford as a songwriter can at times speak with a touch of light cynicism, but the 60’s pop sounds of the Galileo 7 nevertheless seem to shine brightly and buoyantly.

Carl Bookstein