The common point of comparison for Goosebump—the Toronto art-pop band of songwriters Neil Rankin and Paul Erlichman—is the arch English duo Sparks, thanks to their tongue-in-cheek approach and urge to have their already out-there songs take off into instrumental flights of fancy. Rechristening themselves as Goosebump and adding a whole wackload of members on flute, violin, and sax, the band is prepping their new album Goosebump by Goosebump with a single called "Heather's Invitation" that defies the 70s comparisons while being as totally rad as a 70s rock anthem. The track is resplendent with arena rock riffs and a recurring, math-y guitar line, given warmth by the retro production style."Pretentiousness warning ahead: the chorus of Goosebump by Goosebump’s first single, 'Heather’s Invitation,' derives from a similar line in [Kazuo] Ishiguro’s book called When We Were Orphans," says the band. "It’s an older guy turning away his adopted daughter’s invitation to come live with her, because he’s prideful and drawn to loneliness. Total pop song material, right? The verse chords are basically the same as ELO’s 'Do Ya,' which is possibly the dumbest song ever written. Guess our song is middle-brow." Listen to "Heather's Invitation" above.Phil is on Twitter.
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