The Deathray Davies: Deathray Davies – The Kick and The Snare

The Deathrays shoot for power-pop glory

You might expect a band called The Deathray Davies to have a serious Kinks obsession. And you’d be right. But this time out lead singer/songwriter John Dufilho unkinks the musical knot a bit, tones down the keyboards and emerges with 11 power-pop gems that are equal parts The Beatles, Weezer and Fountains of Wayne. There’s nothing new or particularly innovative here, but it’s hard to find fault with the band’s unabashed British Invasion influences, endless hooks, witty wordplay or the unmitigated joy of three fuzzed-out power chords and a backbeat. You can play this one from morning ’til the end of the day.