Power pop upstart Jonny Scaramanga's debut six track EP is made up of loud guitars and big vocal harmonies, with an influence that recalls the Californian sunshine of The Beach Boys along with the power of Cheap Trick, Butch Walker and The Wildhearts, a sound that Scaramanga refers to as "power-drill pop."

And from the off with the lyrical content of "When the Sun shines then the world looks better" you know what's ahead, the musical influence is there loud and clear with 'It's Good To Be Alive' leaning heavily on Brian Wilson's songwriting craft. Title track 'Listen', again, borrows from various classic pop-slanted inspirations but is ever so likeable to say the least with some fine chord progressions and arrangements that far and away exceed Scaramanga's years.

'She's Like A Stranger' is ever so slightly predictable but still includes a decent choral arrangement, and the same could be uttered about 'Not A Line', with some great vocal melodies alongside Jonny's soft chugging guitar work. The band deserve a shout out too with Hurts Dave Marks taking up bass duties and Darby Todd of Justin Hawkins' Hot Leg fame sitting behind the drum kit, and also a rather excellent crystal clear production from Jo Webb.

The mellower side of Scaramanga comes over beautifully and smoothly on 'What If I'm Not Enough', a tune that has certain hit potential if not in the hands of Jonny then maybe a more established artist, and I don't mean that in a contradictive way by any stretch of the imagination. The EP ends with 'The Perfect Summer' and the title speaks for itself; musically, with Scaramanga's soulful vocal delivery and delicious guitar hook, this a must listen for any afficiendo of the power pop genre and beyond...

And to answer the obvious question, Scaramanga is his real name: his grandfather George Ambrose Scaramanga went to school with Ian Fleming in the 1920s and their rivalry inspired the legendary Bond villain.

Jonny Scaramanga....The Man With The Golden Tunes...

www.jonnyscaramanga.com