Bronco Bullfrog are a UK based band who are new to me, though they apparently released some albums and singles in the 90s-early 2000s, before disbanding and then reforming in 2011. On this single we’ve got two originals and one cover.
Wow, Time Waits For Norman is THE sound of late 60s bouncy feel good pop-psych, with a dash of bubblegum tossed in for good measure. The melody sticks in yer craw on the first listen like you’ve known it all your life. The vocals and harmonies are gorgeous and the whole thing is immaculately executed. This could easily have been a hit in 1967. Rocking Horse Mender is next and the promo sheet says it was written as a “shameless love letter to Kaleidoscope”, and that Bronco Bullfrog even approached Peter Daltry about writing some lyrics (didn’t pan out). A beautifully crafted lulling pop-psych tune and another easy candidate for hit single status back in the day. Finally, we’ve got a cover of the 1967 Sands song, Listen To The Sky. The original starts off as trademark 60s pop-psych, but then veers off into a totally stoned, metallic freakout. Bronco Bullfrog do an almost spot-on rendition of the original, though it doesn’t go anywhere near the lysergic brain squashing that Sands did. But based on the strength of the Brocno Bullfrog penned tunes, I want to submit my official wishlist request to Fruits de Mer for a full length LP from these guys.
The single will be available late March, and as usual this is vinyl ONLY, no CDs or downloads. If interested you better hurry because Fruits de Mer releases sell out QUICK!
For more information visit the Fruits de Mer Records web site at: http://www.fruitsdemerrecords.com
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz