Gave this a few more plays today, and was suprised by how much note taking I did. Ended up a bit disorganised. Much like this record really, and not necessarily a bad thing.
It has a pretty unusual sound, one that i'm not used to or familiar with either, so it did take me a while to 'get it' so to speak. Yesterday I said I didn't like his voice, still dont really, but it does kind of suit here.
I also said I thought it was a bit dull. I was wrong. It's not dull at all, just different.
They sound to me like they are very much doing their own thing, whilst not giving a single fuck about it. (Is this where the punk thing comes into it + i'm stating the obvious? more on this in a mo) So they would get praise for this alone, even if I didn't like the result.
I really like the stripped back style, they sound like talented buskers- playing for enjoyment. If someone throws a quid in (sorry, dollar) that's cool, but not why they do it.
(Quick note here- believe it or not I wrote that last bit before I read on spotify today that they were discovered busking. Honest!)
The lyrics are basic (deliberately so I reckon) but the music is quirky enough for me to forget that and just enjoy the tunes for what they are, for the most part catchy.
Love the jangly, loose + scattery playing on some of the tracks, 'blister in the sun', 'prove my love' + 'kiss off' being the 3 most obvious ones. That twangy guitar sound on the latter is ace (is it a gretsh or just the way it's amped?) They sound like they're jamming, and not particularly trying too hard, but the result is pleasing and a welcome change.
In places on 'please do not go' it sounds like they are almost going to get out of time, but never quite do. I like that aspect, even though it's one of the weakest tracks here.
'Add it up' had me nodding away in mini headbanging approval, as did 'promise' both involved involuntary foot tappage as well, never a bad thing, say no more.
I cant get my head round the punk thing though. I'm hearing quite a bit of rockabilly here, folkabilly?
I actually scribbled "stray cats lite" down in my notes, hence the gretsh question earlier. And is that a double bass on 'prove my love' ? If not it should be....maybe it's just me.
Weak tracks then, for me, 'to the kill', the above mentioned 'please do not go' + 'confessions'
So, not the most technical record ever made we all know that. But it proves that simple doesn't have to be boring and uninteresting.
I've not checked any chordage out but i'm willing to bet most of the progressions could be played by a less than average guitar player. But could they recreate that sound, that feel? Doubt it.
Let's face it, disect this and there's nothing being done here that we haven't all heard before, but it's the way it's put together makes it what it is. The sum is bigger than the parts if that makes sense, and less in this case is definately more. Gives us sub-standard strummers hope, if nothing else! Fair play to them for releasing this at all, if ever a record could have got an undeserved slating, it's this one.
So overall a good day at work for me, as I had this to keep me company. Something a bit differant, mainly upbeat, and a grower. What more could you want?
Will return to listen to this again at some point i'm sure, but for now the self perceived weak tracks prevent it being more than a very solid 6/10.
In 12 months time it may be higher, as I get to know it better, which i'm sure it deserves.
Enjoyable and memorable.
Oh, happy to be educated on the instruments used btw.
It has a pretty unusual sound, one that i'm not used to or familiar with either, so it did take me a while to 'get it' so to speak. Yesterday I said I didn't like his voice, still dont really, but it does kind of suit here.
I also said I thought it was a bit dull. I was wrong. It's not dull at all, just different.
They sound to me like they are very much doing their own thing, whilst not giving a single fuck about it. (Is this where the punk thing comes into it + i'm stating the obvious? more on this in a mo) So they would get praise for this alone, even if I didn't like the result.
I really like the stripped back style, they sound like talented buskers- playing for enjoyment. If someone throws a quid in (sorry, dollar) that's cool, but not why they do it.
(Quick note here- believe it or not I wrote that last bit before I read on spotify today that they were discovered busking. Honest!)
The lyrics are basic (deliberately so I reckon) but the music is quirky enough for me to forget that and just enjoy the tunes for what they are, for the most part catchy.
Love the jangly, loose + scattery playing on some of the tracks, 'blister in the sun', 'prove my love' + 'kiss off' being the 3 most obvious ones. That twangy guitar sound on the latter is ace (is it a gretsh or just the way it's amped?) They sound like they're jamming, and not particularly trying too hard, but the result is pleasing and a welcome change.
In places on 'please do not go' it sounds like they are almost going to get out of time, but never quite do. I like that aspect, even though it's one of the weakest tracks here.
'Add it up' had me nodding away in mini headbanging approval, as did 'promise' both involved involuntary foot tappage as well, never a bad thing, say no more.
I cant get my head round the punk thing though. I'm hearing quite a bit of rockabilly here, folkabilly?
I actually scribbled "stray cats lite" down in my notes, hence the gretsh question earlier. And is that a double bass on 'prove my love' ? If not it should be....maybe it's just me.
Weak tracks then, for me, 'to the kill', the above mentioned 'please do not go' + 'confessions'
So, not the most technical record ever made we all know that. But it proves that simple doesn't have to be boring and uninteresting.
I've not checked any chordage out but i'm willing to bet most of the progressions could be played by a less than average guitar player. But could they recreate that sound, that feel? Doubt it.
Let's face it, disect this and there's nothing being done here that we haven't all heard before, but it's the way it's put together makes it what it is. The sum is bigger than the parts if that makes sense, and less in this case is definately more. Gives us sub-standard strummers hope, if nothing else! Fair play to them for releasing this at all, if ever a record could have got an undeserved slating, it's this one.
So overall a good day at work for me, as I had this to keep me company. Something a bit differant, mainly upbeat, and a grower. What more could you want?
Will return to listen to this again at some point i'm sure, but for now the self perceived weak tracks prevent it being more than a very solid 6/10.
In 12 months time it may be higher, as I get to know it better, which i'm sure it deserves.
Enjoyable and memorable.
Oh, happy to be educated on the instruments used btw.