Crikey. The live show promised everything. The six-song EP delivers more. This record is unstoppable. It knocks me out. It makes me smile. It makes me sing. Yes, I’m singing a long to music, I never thought I’d see the day again. This is truly wonderful, and here’s some more. Hang on, I just started the Nuzzle discog by mistake. Damn multiplay. Bear with me. Thank you. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.
Things get off to a good but not explosive start on “Dot Dash” which is all early Jets to Brazil indie rock smarts, nicely rocking dual guitars play off each other with unobtrusive vocals wander over the top. Where this track falls down is the kinda weak lyrics about computers. Still, it’s a decent introduction and straight away gets you hooked into Pylon’s ability to deliver more indie rock catchiness than any band since the Promise Ring, with whom they share more than ability to implant a planet sized smile on the face of the listener.
Now hold your horses for track 2, “Says Al.” Which, un-literally blows my face off. I could listen to this track 100 times in a row. Maybe. Straight from the delicious 3 part harmonies that get the track underway this is absolutely dynamite. I know every word they sing. I know every note. I can’t stop tapping my feet. How did a UK band take a Superchunk influence and do such a good job with it? I have no idea. Listen to the chorus. Oh my god. This is perfect. “Hang me upside down, take me to the edge of this town” has been circling in my mind all day. This is it. Indie rock classic. I’m in love with a band. Oh the melody. Yum.
The ‘chunk influence is expanded upon over a couple of other songs on here. “A Million Thousand Giant Steps” kicks off with drive and bounce fusing in the Promise Ring’s ear for perfection and a masterful bassline. Head nodding and thigh slapping, but just wait till this song reaches its triumphant conclusion and be blown away once more as it soars off on the dual vocals and into . “Yours sincerely” builds around genius harmonies and a chorus as addictive as those accursed Airhead candy bars that Nadia keeps sending me. Feed me. And then there is “Superglue” which is mid-paced, slightly downbeat ‘Chunk-ness and a sad sounding chorus, with a Jets to Brazil-esque rock out.
And the finale. And what a way to finish. “Wind Reel and Print” is the coup de grace. The day I got this CD I flicked through all the tracks, praying that this song would be on here. And just as my heart was sinking, I found it at track #6, it was there, I breathed a sigh of relief. Live, this song sends a shiver down my spine, makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and as I listen to it, I can picture the singer guy doing that weird thing where he shifts his weight from one foot to the other on the stage, much like my cats do when they are happy and pawing the bed. Heh. Anyway. This is glorious, all post-emo twinkling, perhaps early Christie Front Drive influenced without the long build ups. Slightly strained vocals, sparkling backing vocals, butt kicking yet restrained chorus, lyrics to die for. And there’s 5 and half minutes of this. Kill me now.
Heroes.