Stargazer In The Daytime, by The Retail Sectors (CD single on October Man)

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This record left our Brian feeling happy.

This Japanese post rock crew add a touch of grace to the genre, and possibly a bit of a pop sensibility (says Phil). Although I cannot imagine these guys rocking the chart show or whatever dayglo kiddies abomination there is to display your product whoring ways and releasing your gear on October Man, a highly limited CDr label is no gateway to filthy lucre is it? So yeah, spots of The Workhouse & early Mogwai (Summer, Helicon etc) on 'Thirsty Seafarer'. Good stuff! 'Kaze no Doukei' is a sweeter lullabyesque piece, all twinkling dueling guitars with shades of Elizabethan pomp over a placid drum machine. Then the Explosions ITS noise arrives but yes, it does all sound a little more poppy & less smug than the over polished Yanks. 'Stargazer in the Daytime' just confirms what I always suspected. The Japanese sit & study Western music then (often) do it better. Sometimes this may not be to our tastes (Guitar Wolf appear a little contrived for instance!) but this 3" beauty is some of the loveliest "post rock" I've heard in a while! October Man releases are mega limited so be quick as these 3 tracks are a real treat!

The Starlight Silent Night by The Retail Sectors (CD, £6.99)