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It seems like an age since Temples burst their way into consciousness with their debut single 'Shelter Song' in November 2012. The track marked the beginning of a project intent on reviving the kind of 60s psychedelia that has been done, done and done again - but for some reason its ability to twist, turn and always enchant ensures it never gets old.
That doesn't mean that anyone with a half decent haircut and a moog synthesizer can pull it off though. A double A-side with the equally infectious 'Prisms', the single demonstrated the sun-drenched harmonies that most would associate with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash - without (as is the case with so many other attempts) being devoid of a personality of its own.
Almost 15 months later, the time has finally come for Temples to release their debut LP Sun Structures. In a modern day characterised by industry impatience and pitiful attention spans, it is likely many other bands would have lost their momentum during such a protracted interval.
However, a drip-feed of other singles including the majestic 'Colours to Life' and more recently 'Mesmerise' have kept the hype train chugging along nicely.
Perhaps one downside is the slightly disorientating sensation of already being well-familiar with half the record - to the point of having fallen in an out of love with certain tracks several times before hearing them within their wider context.
Fittingly, 'Shelter Song' opens the album and is followed by the title track, which combines a powerful drum beat and a swirling guitar part. Frontman and Marc Bolan dead ringer James Bagshaw radiates his influences through his music as well as his barnet on tracks like 'Keep In the Dark' and 'A Question Isn't Answered', which utlise stomping percussion to create a near-perfect glam sound. At times the record does take on an overwhelming air of nostalgia, but never risks descending into cartoonish pastiche.
It could have perhaps have been made a little bit more of a journey with greater focus on the natural interludes and tangents that define masterpieces by psych kings like Spiritualized and The 13th Floor Elevators. It's a repertoire that would lend itself perfectly to such an approach, but it remains indisputable that Sun Structures is as strong a collection of guitar-based singles as you are likely to hear in 2014.
When album number two comes along, there may well have to be a progression in Temples' sound for them to maintain the core fanbase they have gained, but there is no doubt they have built some sturdy foundations with their maiden effort.
'The Guesser' is another highlight and protrudes a glimpse of an extra string to the Kettering quartet's bow, with a melody that tips its hat to 60s soul, but never strays far from the indie sound that has led voices of reason like Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher to declare them one of the best new bands in Britain.
By the time 'Fragment's Life' brings the album to a woozy but satisfying close, there is definitely an impression that Sun Structures has been worth the wait. The biggest criticism is that songs of the standard of 'Prisms' and last June's 'Ankh' were overlooked and would probably have offered more than Sun Structures' less engaging moments, but these troughs are rare and pass by almost unnoticed amid the body of a record that is largely flawless.
