I saw The Loose Salute open the bill at a concert at the Royal Festival Hall last year. I had gone to see the Rockingbirds (who were amazing), but came away wanting to hear more from the Loose Salute. So I bought "Tuned to Love", and I am glad that I did.
After a few listenings, an image formed in my mind of the band heading to a Cornish beach with their surfboards (like the Monkees in one of their shows - except in warmer clothes), and stumbling across a 1960's recording studio, abandoned like the Marie Celeste. Curious, they wander in, finding recording equipment and musical instruments of the era, along with a pile of Beach Boys records. Two days later, the band emerges with "Tuned to Love".
The Beach Boys comparison is an obvious one to make, with upbeat "poppy" numbers like "From Head to Sandy Toes" and "Death Club", but with a dreamier, and sometimes darker wash applied. Similar to the variety you can find on Pet Sounds, but sometimes all within one song. For example, the two tracks just mentioned seem to change gear part way through and drift into a slower, more spacey end.
I sometimes think I can hear other echoes from the late 60's and early 70's - possibly the Mamas and Papas, and even a hint of T Rex at one point on the title track. But I don't want to give the impression that this is simply a recycling of 60's music. There is something original about the sound of this group, maybe helped by the use of trumpet and steel guitar, and the album leaves you with a mellow, reflective, and satisfied feeling.
For me, the album loses a little momentum after the excellent "Turn the Radio Up", which is why I give this 4 stars and not 5. But I definitely want to see this band again.