Personnel: Adam Symons (vocals, guitar, harmonica, organ); Jeremy Powers (vocals, guitar); Rex Padayhag (vocals, piano, harpsichord, organ); Rob Uytingco (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Adam Symons.
Recording information: 1561 Lincoln, Alameda, CA; Catacombs, San Francisco, CA; Treble Maker Studio, San Francisco, CA.
Photographers: Gregory Clewlow; Michelle Mitchell; Jeremy Powers.
Like the Rainbow Quartz label roster's other acts, a Parties party is where enchanting mid-'60s pop 45s rule the turntable, boyish three-part harmonies are prerequisite, and guitars reference George Harrison, the Byrds' Roger McGuinn, the Hollies' Tony Hicks, and anything Curt Boettcher stroked. Using 2000s production, Cryin' Shame sets the controls for the heart of 1965, competing well with underappreciated gold like Help!, Hollies (U.S.: Hear! Here!), Turn! Turn! Turn!, and the Millennium's 1968 throwback Begin. (There's even paternity between the Hollies' 1967 "Step Aside" lyric "You don't need an invitation/Step inside" and "Kensington Avenue"'s "You don't need an appointment/Just stop by.") Sum: the Parties' tasty tunes and sunny, virtuoso harmonies will worm their way into your vocal cords. Add your voice. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover
