UK band BRONCO BULLFROG have been around for just about two decades by now, although primarily active in the late 90’s and at the start of the millennium. I understand that they went into hiatus at some point and returned again in 2011, although the internet doesn’t easily reveal their endeavors after reforming. The three track single “Time Waits for Norman” is one of presumably more productions issued by the band following their comeback, and was released through UK label Fruits de Mer Records imprint Regal Crabomophone in March 2013.
There are two literally three sides to the scope of this band as explored on this single, although the differences aren’t of any dramatic nature. This is a band that looks back to the 1960’s for inspiration, and to the more mainstream oriented parts of psychedelic rock of the mid to late 1960’s, of the kind where the psychedelic elements where the flavor of the time rather than the main focus. The lead vocals is the central element, the instruments have a more distinct supporting role to play, and by plan, design or chance these are creations that merits a description as accessible, easy on the ears and mind both.
Time Waits for Norman sports distinctly pleasant lead vocals, careful psychedelic guitar effects, a nifty recurring darker toned guitar riff detail and an overall mood that gives me associations towards a band like The Kinks. Rocking Horse Mender is a creation that resides somewhere within a similar overall context I guess, this song a lighter toned, delicate affair most would describe as pop music rather than rock in style I suspect, again with high quality lead vocals as a distinct feature, supported by very careful rhythms and a nice, contrasting bass guitar and light toned electric guitar driven theme. Somewhat naive and dreamladen 60’s pop rock if you like.
Concluding this single we have Listen to the Sky, a song originally made by a band called Sands, presumably well known but I’ll have to admit that this one is unknown to me. Bronco Bullfrog’s take on this composition indicates that this is a far more sophisticated creation, still accessible in a The Kinks kind of manner but sporting more distinct and dominant guitar riffs, a very elegant and again sophisticated underling bass motif as well as what I’d as more advanced lead and backing vocals. The song stays easy on the ears and mind however, with only careful psychedelic details, until a flurry of elegant vocal and instrument psychedelic oriented details transforms this song into more of an otherworldly construction in the concluding phase. A brilliant song in this rendition at least.
A very fine three track single by Bronco Bullfrog this one, that should have a strong appeal to those with a taste for psychedelic rock of the more accessible variety, with fans of bands like The Kinks a likely key audience.
My rating: 87/100
