Music review: Self-Titled — Zallen | 3/5

Unless you are plugged in, it may be difficult to imagine that there exists a marginalised posse of bands and artists that continue to operate exclusively in the melodic pop-rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s in what is commonly known as the Pop Underground. This scene had its heyday during the ‘90s but the contemporary pop scene has been unkind somewhat to its exponents. Zallen, aka Mike Jones, is an artist who has been writing and releasing Pop Underground albums for 15 years now and is still going strong. As usual, his latest album is totally DIY as Zallen actually performes on every instrument heard. Highlights include the inventive Stolen, the poignant Father of Mine, the synth-poppy Bowie the Android Boy and the psych-rocking Which Way Up. Fans of David Bowie, Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd & Todd Rundgren will love this! www.zallenmusic.com