For the first twenty seconds or so, 'Marcel' is reverb-drenched homage to Fabian Andre, Wilber Schwandt and Gus Kahn’s 'Dream a Little Dream of Me'. It’s an instantly recognisable song that has been transformed and transfigured over sixty times. You can add one more to that list if this introduction counts. However, that’s only one part of the story as these chords take on new life in a woozy surf-rock arrangement from Liverpool band Her’s. There’s certainly plenty of nostalgia within this track, with it’s 1931 roots, obvious Beach Boys influences, even a touch of Elvis Presley’s ‘Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite’ days. This mix makes for some very fun listening from brothers-in-arms Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading, but there’s still that one pervading question - who is Marcel? Well, lucky for us Her’s have the answer: "Originally called 'David Seaman', the song’s name was changed after a shopping trip to a thrift store where, in a lucky dip basket full of wallets, they found the wallet of a man named Marcel. Made curious by the cheesy 80’s identity pic inside replete with porn star ‘tache, the group took to the internet to find Marcel was deceased. Though a tribute to its namesake, 'Marcel' is really a song about love, confusion, and the gamut of emotions and impressions we have to run before we figure someone out." - HT