Tears Before Bedtime. would-be-goods

Listening to Tears Before Bedtime is like moving back in time and not just a little. There is so much 1960s written all over the music. The album produces nostalgic feelings galore for most of the time, of a period in time I do not necessarily need to go back to. At the same time Tears Before Bedtime sounds so clear and nicely produced that it simply cannot come from that time. Not a single The Kinks single sounds like this. 'Tears For Leda' may start with a typical The Kinks chord progression, think the intro to 'Till The End Of The Day', but when the spacious stereo mix kicks in, I know better immediately. Expect sounds inspired by 60s movie soundtracks and French sigh girls as well.

would-be-goods is not a new band. It's first record was released in 1988, 'The Camera Loves Me'. Singer and songwriter Jessica Griffin had no band at the time. She recorded her first two albums with the members of The Monochrome Set. This century saw the advent of would-be-goods as a live band. With Tears Before Bedtime the band releases its seventh album.

I can't compare this album to the previous ones, as I do not know them. What I'm listening to, is lush music that allows the musicians to spread out over the mix. Music that allows in all sorts of instruments that move beyond the drums, bass, guitar and alright a keyboard. On the other hand, 'The Rose Tattoo' sounds very convincing even if it is nearly bereft of instruments. The vibe of the past is there in abundance as well.

Photo: Ian Greensmith

Jessica Griffin is no longer a young woman and you will hear it in her voice. It fits very well with the music the band presents. She's not pretending in any way to be what she's not and that makes for listening to the real thing. Some of the lyrics fit her age as well. "Sleeping with dogs gives you flees", she sings in 'Don't Come Crying To Me'. I don't see current female singers like Raye or Olivia Dean sing on household topics like this. This is just one example. I suggest you go and discover your own favourite quote.

would-be-goods, named after a novel from 1901 with that title, musically have dipped their writing pens in a well from 60 years ago. The outcome is an album that is very welcome in 2026. It sounds fresh and upbeat underneath all that nostalgia.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Tears Before Bedtime here:

https://would-be-goods.bandcamp.com/album/tears-before-bedtime