EP Review: And Now For Something Completely Different

And Now For Something Completely Different marks a turning point for Terrence & The Optimistics, a band already known for their eclectic blend of rock, soul, and retro flair. Frontman Terrence Bull describes the new work as “epic, bold, and unlike anything we’ve done before” – a bit of a reinvention, deliberately stepping away from their earlier groove-heavy records like Groovy Baby (2019).

The title itself nods to Monty Python’s famous catchphrase, and the music within this short EP mirrors that sense of playful unpredictability. There’s a real mix of genres, like twiddling the knobs on an FM radio you never know what you are going to get until you’re properly tuned in. However, I’m not sure if they’ve landed on the right signal yet.

Taken on face value, there are a number of songs on this EP that tick the all-classic rock boxes. Opener, To Live Or Die, taps into the canon of rockers like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and a touch of irony from bands like The Darkness. It’s all there – a desperate gravel lead vocal, a swelling chorus, layers of backing vocals swirling around like an ethereal chorus of decision angels. Bombastic chords and gnarly riffs hold this power ballad together. The song ambitiously demands a huge stage, complete with high rotating search lights and neon pyrotechnics. The only letdown was the short and abrupt guitar solo – I felt this could stretch on for at least another ten minutes. Lines like “If only I could see what’s right / I would tell you every time / Now it’s time for me to decide / To live or die!” mine the tried-and-true rock tropes. But you have to admit they’re expertly delivered. With a growl that emanates a bit of Grohl and Hetfield, he’s got a great voice for rock, that’s for sure. He’ll continue to contribute in various ways on the next couple of numbers.

Sugar hit Believing Is Magic delivers such a saccharine sweet earworm that even my ears now have tooth decay. It bops along like it’s just popped out of a packet of Stock, Aitken, Waterman candy canes. Shame that 18-year-old Kylie missed out doing this one and had to settle for a remake of Locomotion. Just saying.

Surprisingly, the next track, Hold On, changes tack, sailing straight into 70’s Yacht Rock territory. I love this one. It’s cruisy and smooth as satin. I adored the short but sweet acoustic solos and the reverb backing vocals which nodded towards 60’s Brazilian pop influences like Sérgio Mendes and Brasil ’77. Can I get more of this, please.

Returning to the world of 80’s AOR the final track, Alone With The Night, shows the most promise. As I listened, I was reminded of great forgotten acts like Loverboy, REO Speedwagon, Dave McCartney’s Pink Flamingos. This is definitely their territory. With some decent studio production this track could be elevated so much further. Currently it sounds a bit like a demo and that sadly drew my attention away. That said, it’s a pretty solid number, with a great chorus, sentiments of a breakup and the falling fog of loneliness “Seeking out a lover”. I imagine the video shows a solitary cowboy walking slowly through back lit dry ice into a grungy bar searching for a shot at love and redemption.

And Now For Something Completely Different succeeds in embracing the contradiction. Previous recordings flirted with an Austin Powers theme, of a band trapped in the late 70’s, “thawed out to fight the evil Dr Depresso, who is holding the world to ransom by threatening to release another decade of sad and depressing music unless his demands are met” (see more here). Ironically, some of these new releases are darker and deeper than previous work. I wonder if that’s intentional. Or is there some channelling of the evil Doctor coming through? And given the previous theme and storyline, do I take any of this seriously? Is this a continuation of all that or a change in direction? Whatever the case, a move away from pure crowd-pleasing groove and funk is a calculated gamble. And these are worthy explorations. But I’m not convinced that everything on here is either finished or quite ready for the world just yet. If these songs get to be road-tested some more, I could be proven wrong. I hope so. In the meantime continue the search to find that sound that defines you. I believe it’s out there.