Repomen
Parallel Schizophrenic/Brickface EP

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What their label says...

Phantom Power post-new wave faves RepoMen are back with a Spring offensive in the shape of this brand-spanking new Alan Smyth produced 5-track EP, their first release for the Phantom since last year’s “Star” EP. The Sheffield based quartet come up with the goods again. The EP quite literally springs into action with quirky lead track “Parallel Schizophrenic” with its bass-driven groove that fuses such unfashionable influences as the agit-dance-pop of That Petrol Emotion and early 80s new-wave melodies. It’s a sub-three minute shot of pop that hits you straight between the eyes as it builds into a memorable crescendo of noise before winding down a cappella style à la M’s “Pop Musik”. Next up, the breezy but urgent “Brickface”, more of a double A than a B side, maintains the band’s high standards of song-craft as the song builds up with soaring guitars, a bruising bass line, crashing drums before exploding into as sweet a melody as your likely to hear at any of this year’s festivals. Third track “Breathe” see guitarist Ric Bower step up to the mic to affirm his vocal credentials and drummer James Hughes swap his sticks for a Fender Strat for this meandering and dreamy Lou-Reed-esque ballad. Fourth cut “Ride” is a more straight-forward foot-to-the-floor rock beast that shows a heavier but no less melodic side of the band. Final track “Statelines” is an altogether more experimental track with its waves of feedback and mantra like vocals.

The CD EP may be long dead as a format but the diversity contained therein on this fist of five tracks makes a strong case for its reinstatement. RepoMen may not be remotely fashionable or likely to break into the mainstream but the sound of the underground never sounded so good!