“All Inclusive is a jerky little kid’s TV melody that temporarily fleshes out into a Mittel Europa take on Depeche Mode’s static rhythms. If that sounds terrible, then trust me, it isn’t. ”
“All Inclusive is a jerky little kid’s TV melody that temporarily fleshes out into a Mittel Europa take on Depeche Mode’s static rhythms. If that sounds terrible, then trust me, it isn’t. “
Chica and the Folder – Under the Balcony
http://www.konkurrent.nl/ www.myspace.com/monikaenterprise
Bloody hell what to make of this? It’s a weird, strangely accessible and very lush pop LP. That it’s slightly naff in parts only adds to the charm. For some bizarre reason I thought that Under the Balcony is the kind of LP your art teacher would make. Perfect Day is a super-naïve, very continental chant not a million miles away in feel from a Holger Czuckay’s Cool by the Pool. It also reminds me of Propoganda at their glossiest, (but obviously without the shrieking). All Inclusive is a jerky little kid’s TV melody that temporarily fleshes out into a Mittel Europa take on Depeche Mode’s static rhythms. If that sounds terrible, then trust me, it isn’t. Highlights are the brilliant Dancing Been; a lovely guitar riff that gets all squelchy and hippy-trippy (Old-Rave style) care of some Gong-style synth squeaks. Angelus Novus is a weird mish-mash of keyboard wibbling and Kraftwerk style vocal processing.
There’s a fair bit of Spanish sung on the album; Deside El Balcone is as lush and as dreamy as a summer’s afternoon in the park, whereas Sacrificio is a funny Durritti Column-style rumble. And Dias Amarillos is just plain weird, Super Furries style. Have this lot been on the acid? The ghostly Monte Rosa is just beautiful though, dragging up the ghost of early Tangerine Dream via some splendid sound effects.
Go and give this a listen, it’s not hip, it’s not part of any scene and it’s bound to get overlooked. It’s good though and that’s all that matters.
Words: Richard Foster