V2 has finally reissued the High Llamas' 1992 debut, Santa Barbara, with the intent to share the album's smart English pop with a whole new wave of music fans. Referred to as one of the best albums of 1992, the record reflects the European music trends of 1980s and 1990s extremely neatly and cleverly while adding a hint of tre coolness that keeps you on your toes.

The Llamas' XTC influence has never been as evident as it is on Santa Barbara, especially on the record's opener, "Put Yourself Down." "Banking on Karma"'s energy lies in dual vocals and the primacy of the guitar, calling to mind the musicality of Karl Wallinger and World Party. The chorus of "Birdies Sing" rises and soars above Sean O'Hagan's everyman vocals which carry and inquisitive and riveting quality that he shares only with Robyn Hitchcock.

Of course, what all these bands have in common is that they all share an undeniable Beatles influence. And naturally, they can only play what they know. (Let's be grateful that these guys didn't get into the Monkees or Herman's Hermits instead. Can you imagine the legacy?) The influence of the Beatles continues to play a huge role in the English and American popular music scenes, and the High Llamas pull it off better than most. I mean... Oasis? Come on!

-Aparna Mohan