Phil Dickey, Will Knauer, and Jonathan James, collectively known as Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin [SSLYBY], return with their latest album, Fly by Wire. The group returned to the place that started it all: the attic of Knauer's parent's house where SSLYBY recorded their debut album, Broom. And so, like kids in the summer who have nothing else to do but hang out and play music all day, the members of SSLYBY spent up to twelve hours a day working on the songs that would become Fly by Wire...

Fly By Wire is the latest album from SSLYBY, and not only has the song writing matured, but the whole production has a vibe about it that is infectious - as though the band's enthusiasm has returned to the days when they were trying to make it big. This is an album they recorded because they had a genuine enthusiasm for the entire album making process, rather than having to sling some songs together to please the guys in suits. Well, that's how it sounded to me. There's no mistaking, however, that there's an energy and love for writing and recording that shines through each song on this album.

There isn't a dull moment, but if I had my arm twisted and was forced to choose my favourites I'd have to go for 'Lucky Young', the Pulp inspired 'Cover All Sides' the Beatles-esque 'Bright Leaves'; and the infectious 'Fly By Wire'.

The album contains 10 tracks and lasts for 31 min, 46 sec, which was a little short for my liking. This is an interesting release that is inspired by music from the '60s and, more obviously, the '90s.

9

Nick Smithson