Keith Cross & Peter Cross-Bored Civilians (1972)

In the early seventies, the influence of the West Coast sound of the American hippies reached England, a style that would be a major influence on many British bands of the time. However, the sunny, beachy, surfer-friendly American climate was a stark contrast to the ever-rainy Great Britain, so the so-called "British West Coast" had an unmistakable melancholic and wistful tone, directly linked to its climate, although its very personal folk style also contributed to a somewhat darker and more somber feel. One of these bands was the duo Keith Cross & Peter Cross, two brothers who came from various bands such as the progressive rock band T2 and Hookfoot, the latter being Elton John's backing band. After composing a series of songs, they recruited several musicians, including guitarists Nick Lowe, formerly of Brinsley Schwartz, and B.J. Cole, ex-Cochise, as well as Caravan saxophonist Jimmy Hastings. The only recording from this collaboration was the album "Bored Civilians", one of those rare gems highly sought after today due to the combination of its impressive lineup of musicians and its extraordinary content. Tracks in the purest CSN or Seals & Crofts style, such as "The Last Ocean Ride", folk-rock tracks seasoned with heavenly vocals like "Peace in the End" (the latter a cover of a song by the misunderstood Fotheringay), songs with a clear psychedelic jam texture like "Story to a Friend", elegant compositions such as "Loving You Takes So Long", "Pastels", "The Dead Salute", and "Bo Radley", and acoustic tracks like the irresistible "Fly Home", all combine to create an album of extraordinary quality. However, shortly after its release, the band broke up, each member pursuing independent careers, thus bringing to an end the ephemeral adventure of this magnificent and now forgotten band.