Have you ever been mellow? No, that wasn't just an excuse to squeeze in an Olivia Newton John reference into a review for listening to The Rudiments' album "Doctor Bone's Fried Medicine" was truly a mellowing experience. Some albums – though not many these days - have that kind of effect on the listener.
Let's not confuse all that mellowness with having a soporific effect for The Rudiments are by no means a substitute for Ovaltine. Their songs are proper pop songs for a start and your ears will soon provide proof that a high degree of care has gone into crafting their sound. The harmonies on "Cardamom", for example, add the requisite gloss that was needed to polish this west coast folk rock song off. However, as a band, The Rudiments are more Delbert & Glen than the Eagles and more Paul Weller than the Beatles and their easy on the ear, and yet catchy, songs are replete with intelligence and a dry sense of humour.
Of course, if you want to get your feet moving, then there is something here for that too with "Start To Roll" fitting the bill admirably and there's even an oddly oblique song called "Tetley Tea (Set You Free)" to provide proof that there is life (and a smile) inside conventionality.
"Doctor Bone's Fried Medicine" is the kind of album that makes friends easily and that's no bad thing in my book.