Labels: Wolf Town DIY
Review by: MH
Here is something brilliant. I stuck this on the first time and then it was just a case of listening again and again and again after that. Plough Lines play slow to mid-paced indiemo and as far as influences go they wear them firmly on their sleeve – paying heed to the likes of Mineral in the autumnal feel, as well as throwing riffs and chord steps around that remind me of Christie Front Drive (see about 3 minutes 58 seconds into opener “Please Advise”). Sad riffs are in abundance and the vocals are super whilst a sad and bleak weariness reigns in the personal lyrics. By track 2, the talky “Ten and Two”, I am completely sold. The blend of spoken word and sung vocals against the slow, meandering guitar sound is spectacular. Then comes “Elegy For J.R.” which brings the melancholy and is a great example of that weary sadness – “All my oldest friends are falling out. They’ve gone to death. They’re fading away, like the rest of them.” Last song “Keanu Grieves” is a little more punky and loose. There is some crossover with some other recent UK bands Speedboat Salesman and Nai Harvest and while I had plenty of time for those bands I like Plough Lines more than those two already. I love the sad riffs and vocal style in particular. If you want something Midwest-y and autumnal you should probably be listening to this. Easily one of my favourite 4-trackers this year.
I should also mention that Wolf Town is putting out some cracking stuff right now. Alongside this and the recent release by Sleepers, a Wade 7inch is about to appear and early indications are hugely positive on that one too.