Being a real fan of the post punk explosion and all the fallout & musical schrapnel arising from that fertile era, I feel that one of the best discoveries from around that period is The Lines. A Lahndan 4 piece comprised of reserved, thoughtful types. After the frankly brilliant singles round up, they've now had both of their albums for Red records in the early 80's woven together into a free flowing behemoth opening with a trilogy firmly within the realms of atmospheric trippy punk funk, strong flecks of Liquid Liquid, Pop Group & ACR with slightly disembodied, flowing vocals that occasionally mirror Only Ones' Peter Perrett. Then 'Blow A Kiss' hits me in the throat with a tender, dreamy vocal over a wistful, searching bassline and tumbling tom toms, occasional embellishments like an electric harp/chime effect but so skeletal & arresting it really moves you. It's truly one of the loveliest indie songs, way before it's time, in fact timeless. 'Instincticide' is pretty damn cool, a little unhinged with a sound like embryonic New Order funking it up intensely at Notting Hill Carnival - with kazoos. It's a possesed tune, well hypnotic. Yes that good (better than it sounds, I swear). 'Bucket Brigade' is kind of military funk/new wave free jazz. Like Pop Group with early XTC meets Sun Ra. I make them sound really good don't I? Well they bloody are so if you want some vibrant, infectious & highly rhythmic early 80s guitar pop that truly has hardly dated, invest in this slightly deranged stew! I just picked out 3 tunes that segued nicely for me, but there's 16 tunes here for you to collapse into after a hard day's life. Excellent!! Floodbank is CD only!!
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What their label says...
Acute’s latest reissue from London’s The Lines is a rare early 80s post-punk gem. Flood Bank, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed singles compilation Memory Span, includes both of The Lines’ full-length LPs, Therapy and Ultramarine. Featuring more intricate production, this release finds the band layering dense atmospheres, dub effects and Krautrock influenced textures. Drifting through their avant-punk-funk rhythms are glimmering tones, throbbing pulses and surprising instrumentation.
Featuring a deluxe color 16-page booklet featuring an essay by Rico Conning of the band and reprints of two vintage interviews.
WHAT THE PRESS SAID ABOUT THE RECENT ‘MEMORY SPAN’ COMPILATION: - "If they didn’t already exist; someone would have had to invent The Lines: a post punk group with psych and dub overtones... an unexpected pleasure that underlines the fertility of the whole post-punk period-which is why it remains an inspiration" - (Mojo ****) - "an uncompromisingly individual approach which eschewed the trend-hungry musical climate of the time. Devotees of the era and fans of fresh, fearless music should investigate" - (Record Collector****) - "One of THE great British post-punk bands"- (The Sunday Times ’Must-have’ Reissue) - "The latest in a string of gems unearthed by New York’s questing Acute Records"- (Uncut****)
TRACKLIST: 1. Come Home 2. Stripe 3. Airlift 4. Blow a Kiss 5. Instincticide 6. Bucket Brigade 7. Tunnel Party 8. Ursa Major 9. The Landing 10. The Gate 11. Have A Heart 12. No Hiding 13. Flood Bank 14. Fury 15. Ultramarine 16. Disenchanted
Other items by The Lines
Domino Effect The Lines 7" (vinyl), £2.99 Sorry - sold out.
