2 ...according to our Clinton on 24 September 2009.
I hear on good authority that there is a new band called Girls who aren't girls at all but boys!!!!!! Whatever next? I'm so confused. Anyway I'm told they are all the rage so I've been passed a copy of their new album to try to describe it to you. The first song is called 'Lust for Life' but - oh and this is incredible - it isn't the Iggy Pop song of the same name - didn't they know about it already? The singer has one of those non singing voices kind of like the guy from Subway Sect or the guy from Empire from the Sun. Its kind of harsh on the ear but could probably be ok if it had some decent songs to sing. I'm on track three and so far the album has used up every rock and roll cliche ever invented - from the drum intro to 'Be my Baby' - to hammy Elvis style pastiches. The record is unremittingly awful - I was kind of hoping that beyond the jokey amateurish styling's would be some decent songs kind of in the way that Big Star's third album at first seems like some kind of disjointed drunken mess but later reveals itself as something a lot better than that - but alas I can find nothing in here to recommend it. At times it sounds like 70's jokers Mud. Its hard writing these reviews just based on one or two listens and I don't really want to say anything along the lines of "this is one of the worst albums i've ever heard" but I would proceed with extreme caution with this one. As we approach the midway point of the album there are glimmers of improvement in a couple of tracks that recall lost 70's nearly man Dwight Twilley being force fed through a combine harvester but I have the feeling its too little too late. Currently bankrupting Fantasy Trashcan records as we speak.
Love this record? Hate it? Tell us.
Sound clips for Album by Girls: on CD at Norman Records UK. CD, Fantasy Trashcan, FANTASY003, £10.09.
‘Album’ is a sincere, romantic tribute to the majesty of
great pop music and the healing power of rock and roll.
‘Album’ is a record that perfectly captures the sun-baked outlook of life in their adopted San Francisco hometown, just as The Velvet Underground crackled with New York electricity and The Smiths’ songs came soaked in Manchester drizzle.
‘Album’ has been described by Girls as "honest, loose, ethereal, obnoxious and perfect”.
Available on CD, heavyweight vinyl LP with poster insert and digital download.
Tracklisting:
Lust For Life * Laura * Ghost Mouth * God Damned * Big Bad Mean *
Mother F***er * Hellhole Ratrace * Headache * Summertime *
Lauren Marie * Morning Light * Curls * Darling
