The Scarlet Goodbye – the Minnesota based collaboration between Daniel Murphy (Soul Asylum, Golden Smog) and Jeff Arundel – are onto their third album already. Lead single ‘She’s a Fire’ is pitched as ‘a sharp, melodic cut with classic harmonies, searing guitars, and a subtle nod to Carnaby Street-era pop’.
Built around a nagging, cyclical and remarkably simple riff, ‘She’s a Fire’ is strong on vocal melody and oozes retro chic, to the extent that it doesn’t just sound and feel like it’s assimilated those 60s vibes, but that it’s hard to believe it’s not been lifted from one of the Pebbles albums, although the sound is perhaps a shade smoother and leans more toward the poppy end of the psychedelic spectrum than the punk end.
Either way, it’s nicely done, perfectly crafted, and, most importantly, a catchy tune where the hooks hit first time.
