Labels: Two Sheds
Review by: Martin Brown
I’m no great authority on electronic music, but I know what I like and I like what I hear. The press release screamed ‘YOU WILL NOT LIKE THIS’ (not literally) at me, citing influences such as Brian Eno. However, if I had to get my comparison hat on (not that I literally have a hat), I’d cite this as Portishead meets Jejune with bits of Appleseed Cast, Spiritualized, Belle and Sebastian and Beatles thrown in. An eclectic little mêlée I’m sure you’ll agree (not that I’m literally sure, just confident). It’s great to see a band trying something different, as it’s a sadly rare thing nowadays. Unafraid to splice bizarre combos of instruments together, and constantly mixing dynamics and tempos, but not to verbose ends, the songs are aided greatly by singer Kelly Sirman. Sirman has a fantastic voice, and she soars over the hustle and bustle of the changing music, linking it all together like some crazy picar (not that I’m suggesting she’s literally insane). All the songs are well-crafted, and despite their capacious length (this is an EP track-wise, but an album lengthwise, if you dig me [not literally]), manage to maintain interest throughout. I’m sure the best of this lot are still to come.
And this is a good record. literally.