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Recommended by us on 17th November 2006
...according to our Phil on Fri 17 Nov, 2006.
Wow! Where to start? This is incredible. Both Brian and me were immediately taken by this on first listen. This Seattle based band will take you on an inspired tour of 60's alternative music. Take some folks from the 60's like The Creation, The Beatles, Syd Barrett. Chuck 'em in a blender some more recent bands like Apples In Stereo, Unwound, Deerhoof, Enon (a really unhinged GBV in parts too x Brian) etc and you get this completely coherent amazing album. The guitars are incredibly discordant and they scratch and scrape along whilst making you hum along at the same time. I keep thinking they sound like XTC's spin off band Dukes of Stratosphear at times 'n all. The interspersed female vocals really carry a lot of weight as well and truly lift this above so many other releases. if you were a fan of the Elephant 6 60's style revival you'll love this. Am well impressed. CD only am afraid. Come out Fat Cat... we want vinyl! If you want to have a wee listen then you can do so here - Phil...according to Ewan Cowie.
I saw the reference to Elephant 6 at took this as my cue to give the album of the week a purchase for a change. I'm glad I did, as this is excellent.
Yup, there's Deerhoof and the much-missed Olivia Tremor Control in there, but I also hear bits of Wolf Parade and Pavement in there. I don't have the same level of knowledge in obscure bands, so I won't try to clash wits with the experts here. Although much of this sounds already familiar on first listening and the inspirations on paper alone mean that you can almost hear it before it's coming out the speakers, the tunes are tight and there's no ambling moments. Retro as you like, but ultimately good enough to get put on again straight after it's first spin. Sounded better and fresher the second time actually, as the weight of expectation from the list of luminaries wasn't on it's shoulder. FatCat to the rescue again!
So, what do you think? Best reviewer each month gets £10 off their next order!
Norman Records,
Unit 20, Croydon House,
Croydon Street,
Leeds,
LS11 9RT, UK.
Tel/fax: (+44) 0113 245 4399
Email: phil@normanrecords.com
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