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Trash Kit - Trash Kit

Recommended by us on 14th May 2010

Trash Kit by Trash Kit

4...according to our on Thu 13 May, 2010.

Trash Kit are a relatively new all-girl trio from London town. With only a years experience behind them (formed in 2009) they have managed to capture there wildly rhythmic Slits/Raincoats-esque style on record and with seventeen tunes included here it's obvious to me that they are a busy bunch indeed. As with all great three piece groups Trash kit rely on sparse interplay between instruments and vocals to create optimum results. Drums and cheeky guitar rhythms provide the solidity, the bass holds things together melodically and a playful duel vocal attack completes the sound nicely. All avenues of post punk are explored here with hints of Erase Eratta, The Raincoats, The Slits, Contortions and newer groups such Beards, Electricity in our Homes and The Jelas all making their presence known but this ain't no throwback release, these kids have got a ton of great sounding tunes here. Thoughtful lyrical content with danceable beats...a killer combo. Totally recommended listening. It's on Upset The Rhythm so you already know it's good.

* Trash Kit are a gang of facepainted flag-bearers who have a wild feel for melody and a heartfelt kick inside each song. Mixing chaos, considered songcraft and overlapping harmonies in equal measure the female trio sound as joyful as they are focused.

* ARTROCKER: "TRASH KIT IS KILLER, REMINISCENT OF THE SLITS IN TERMS OF THEIR INVENTIVENESS AND SHEER MENACE WHILST ALSO THROWING NODS TO A RAWER BLOC PARTY AND THE MINUTEMEN."

* VINYL IS LIMITED, BRIGHT GREEN , 180gm WITH A FREE POSTER AND TEMPORARY TATTOO.

* Rachel Aggs, Rachel Horwood and Ros Murray formed the band in early 2009, and since then have been lighting up London, energising the UK underground with their raw performances and promise. Trash Kit have a sound of their very own, it’s both urbane and primal, drawing on the potential of punk and the naturalism of an internal folk music. With their self-titled debut album they have successfully captured their narrative enthusiasm without losing any charm.

* There’s a stripped back quality to their music that packs the bravest of punches. Both Rachels tangle their vocals with each other whilst expressive drumbeats and impulsive guitar lines pin down the songs. Rachel Agg’s guitar playing is as much informed by African fingerstyle patterns as the percussive attitude of various no wave shredders. It often sounds like the guitar lines leap just ahead of the pursuing drums like a musical chase. Rachel Horwood approaches her rhythms with an untamed freedom, pushing her drumming forward into the realms of lead instrument. With the inclusion of handclaps, tattered cymbals and Djembe (played with a stick as part of the kit) her vivid drumming sounds nothing short of gripping. Trash Kit’s music is full of pauses, flips and punctuation, this is where Ros Murray and her resonant, spirited bass work finds the perfect balance. The album, recorded in just a handful of days, sees them skip-rope through 17 of their colourful compositions, even finding time to work in passages of violin, noisy freak-outs and some saxophone
touches courtesy of guest musician Verity Susman. The group vocals and wordless singing that weaves through the album are another key part of the band, allowing them to express the uncertain in a way which showcases their boundless delight in making music in its most fun and natural form.

* Lyrically, their songs deal with identity and honesty and with a result they find their own voice stronger than they thought. Their poignant songs tackle a wide range of issues, in a personal way. “It’s at your fingertips, take this moment, don’t forget a single word that was spoken” sings Rachel A in ‘Fame’ and in truth that’s how Trash Kit approach each song, with total sincerity and directness. It’s easy to find yourself in their music and get caught up in the moment. Tracks like ‘New Face’ and ‘Bad Books’ fly by with all the rush of endorphins, whilst other songs such as ‘Freetime’ embark on more pensive adventures. ‘Filipino Song’ takes its inspiration from the drumbeat of a traditional Filipino folk dance and
whilst celebrating a diversity of ideas it also reflects on that feeling of otherness that comes with being mixed race. ‘Trash Kit’ is an album with a lot to say but its overall sentiment of remaining true to yourself never loses clarity. ‘Cadets’ is a raucous call to arms exercise in the power of the catchy hook, whilst ‘Natascha’ and ‘Tattoo’ are altogether more sensitive affairs, exposing a certain vulnerability and candor the band wear like a badge of pride. Trash Kit take risks with and inside their songs and it’s exactly this attitude which frees up their music and makes them sound so compelling and different. Trash Kit are a band who turn the personal into the poetic, who make the everyday radical and for that they sound truly original.

* TRACKLIST: 1. Knock Yr Socks Off 2. Cadets 3. New Face 4. 50ft Woman 5. Pig Cat 6. Tattoo 7. Filipino Song 8. Bugsy 9. Natascha 10. Sun Spots 11. Gorey 12. Chinese Boy 13. Bad Books 14. Trash Kit 15. Fame 16. Free Time

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