april 2008 cd reviews

THE ERRATICS : HITTING BRICK WALLS EP

Don't believe all you read - this band is not Erratic but instead can write the kind of gritty acoustic pop (bulled up by distorted textures) that brings to mind the Cure without the keys: simple guitar lines and lots of strumming. Not ones for using a good idea to death, 'She's Falling Through Walls' sports a subtle chorus harmony which lifts in the right place. 'Sylvie She Said' further exposes their penchant for conversational lyrics, makes connection with the listener easier and the slower and more spacious 'Love On The Run' shows an Elvis Costello leaning in both melody and arrangement. Nothing musically virtuosic here but we still get four very catchy and well textured tracks which really work. Finishing with the extremely radio-friendly 'Hitting Brick Walls' however is possibly an error as this would be a great EP opener. Hooks, immediacy and memorable.

dean saint john

FLESH EATING FOUNDATION : SEETHE

Flesh Eating Foundation are well known for their assaulting live shows and no-holds-barred experimentalism, so I had to wonder whether or not that could be conveyed at all well on a recording. As I found out; the results do not disappoint. Recorded in a 'home studio' set up, the rawness and aggression of the live shows translates beautifully and without dilution. Bass heavy rhythms and squelching synth sounds collide head on with the antagonised vocals and multiple layers of distortion that are the trademark of this act. They are an Atari Teenage Riot for the new millennium; although their style compares more overall to the cyber-industrial and punk scenes than that of Digital Hardcore. The themes shift from politically minded outbursts to more personally emotive soundtracks. There is something unique in the way the band manage to mesh their dark and slightly abstract approach to music into something that at times can only be perceived as a thing of beauty. Whilst it's as far from pop as can be, there is something amazingly catchy about the albums content. This isn't just a great album; it's a victory for integrity in music and proof that you don't need the best instruments or a big name 'producer' to create something great. This isn't just music; it's art.  

cyrus crashtest

SPEAKEASY : YOU CAN TELL BY THE LIGHTS EP

This is a well produced 4 track EP which represents the band in quite a raw light. But this by no means a drawback in this case, as I have a feeling that The Speakeasy want to come across as sleazy and maybe a little bit angsty. On the opening and eponymous track we have a very Arctic Monkeys/laddish vocal delivery which sits well amongst the riff fuelled momentum of the track and very heavy guitar mix. Then thankfully the remaining material takes a different direction with 'Up Yours' and 'King Of The Castle' revealing them to be regular visitors to the altar of dirty guitar and rather large solo. Best track is saved 'til last with snarling swaggering 'The Stampede'; all throwaway and drenched in Crybaby. Nice.

dean saint john