It’s strange hearing the sense of raw energy that informs the music, an energy that could limit as well as inspire, for, as with nearly all records of this period, you do feel that the creation of a sound rather than the song-writing is the driving force…
Enon – Grass Geysers… Carbon Clouds
Still in their seeming quirkiness there is method and a great pop song writer literally taking the piss out of all other exponents of this art-school, post-punk squared genre (I wonder I can say that).
Susanna – Sonata Mix Dwarf Cosmos
It takes guts to have a track of five minutes length with nothing but a piano to accompany you for the vast majority of its running time. Especially as it’s about returning aliens back to outer space.
Ceramic Hobs – Al Al Who
These three tracks are like sitting next to the angry drunk in a bar in Burnley, who constantly tries to tell you about Newton’s Laws; yes he’s an MA but he’s 6 foot four and has egg stains on his nose which makes you wonder why you were talking to him in the first place…
The Strange Death of Liberal England – Forward March!
Fans of British Sea Power needn’t worry as this lot haven’t exactly stolen the Emperor’s clothes as looked elsewhere for inspiration. And An Old Fashioned War owes more to Kurt Weil or Tom Waits than any guitar band.
Continue reading “The Strange Death of Liberal England – Forward March!”
Akron/Family – Love is Simple
Akron are a hairsbreadth away from being a truly great band and Love is Simple is another indication of how far they’ve come.
Tomlab Records – Puppy Love; 10 Years of Tomlab
And guess what? Deerhoof are as engagingly mad as ever (if Matchbox Seeks Maniac’s remix is anything to go by).
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Blitzen Trapper – Wild Mountain Nation
Oh I like this! It is messy, ebullient and not afraid to have a little bit of fun with electric guitars.
Jeffrey Lewis – 12 Crass Songs
Crass are one of those bands that the average punter isn’t going to take a risk on, so fair play to our Jeff for being the door opener to the indie schmindy kids.
Canon Blue – Colonies
…the vocal style doesn’t half sound like Tom Chaplin "doing a Thom Yorke" at the local karaoke…