Labels: Building – Easy Listening – Hombre Lobo – Paul Breitner
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I don’t know if there are just not many good bands in mainland Europe, or whether it’s just that I don’t get to hear enough of them. It seems as if a lot of them play dull hardcore, or bad emo. So a long come Phillipe with some of the best stuff coming off of the continent since the first Sunshine LP. And that’s a pretty neat comparison to be able to make here, as they do share similarities. Sunshine have apparently changed quite notably since their early emo days, but if you’ve heard that album, then you can use it as a comparison here. Lots of strained, almost shouted vocals over dischordant rocking emo. Phillipe have a definite DC influence, there are shades of bands like Bluetip and Rites of Spring, building on the latter to create a grooving and passionate sound in much the same way that Embassy did. Perhaps not quite as hardcore as that band, but moving in the same direction. Tracks like “Epilogue” are powerful and driving, yet not afraid to drop in some time changes and quirks to keep you on your toes whilst the vocalist screams his lungs out then drops back down a level again to something less harsh. Oddest feature of the record has to be the remix that just suddenly crops on side B. Eh? It’s not particularly outstanding, and is totally out of place. There’s some techno and some drum ‘n’ bass, and some strange vocals that sound like Mr. Blobby. I don’t quite understand really.
For the most part this album is all round good. Though I can’t think much to say about it! Definitely if you want to hear a European band playing some decent music, then this is a band to investigate. Check out their earlier 7″ while you’re at it. I think they split up now.