Labels: Rorschach Records
Review by: Alex Deller
The debut full-length from Antlers features some playful, higgledy-piggledy indie-cum-post-rock that darts amiably to and fro as it pilfers from all and sundry. Largely instrumental, the band snaffle the childish japes of Cap’n Jazz, the adolescent mope of Braid and the arty smarts of latterday DC types Faraquet, all of which means it’s deftly played, tuneful and with such a sunny disposition that it could never be considered overbearing despite the very obvious talent on display. The finer moments come when they lob something more left-of-centre amongst the trad instru-rock jams, with the cheerful horn-tooting of “Bald Cypress” and the gleeful group vocalising of “Water Tupelo” or “Catalpa” perfect cases in point as these new elements weave in amongst the slippery guitar lines and quick-witted drumming. All in all, it’s a pretty fine ol’ listen, and here’s hoping they keep at it and branch out with more of that aforementioned good stuff in the future.