Brian McGuire likes the Beatles. No, I mean he really likes the Beatles. He likes the Beatles so much that he’s in a Beatles tribute band called Rubber Soul. I can assume if he were offered the chance by a magical rock-star wish-offering fairy to send him to 60s British hippiedom, he’d say yes faster than a virgin can say no.

Pictured in the liner notes with sitar in hand, sitting next to a mini Venus de Milo statue and an antique amplifier, McGuire has decided not even try to pretend he’s not blatantly biting his idols. He admits further in his press release he is not afraid to wear his influences proudly on his sleeves. Rubber Soul and Revolver are the two biggest influences on his songwriting. One listen to Westminster Holiday and “influence” doesn’t seem a strong enough word. On “Barefoot in Rishikesh,” he pulls out the aforementioned sitar from “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” and the Indian percussion from “Love You To.”

McGuire has a voice more Brian Wilson Beach Boy than Paul McCartney Beatle. Unlike the Beatles, McGuire has yet to break away from the traditional love songs. There’s nothing deep here, but if McGuire’s goal was to capture the sunny rays of 60s Beatles-pop, then it’s a success. It’s catchy, derivative and unassuming. And I’ll take it as such. GB