Labels: self released
Review by: Oli Saunders
Happy 2017 Graham Repulski. A gritty, bass-heavy guitar riff opens up proceedings on his 21st release and barely varies throughout, as some basic percussion keeps the beat and Graham sings through a poster tube in characteristic fashion. The second track, ‘Gum Box Pillow’, is even better, this time with a barely varying keyboard. It’s sort of gloomy but optimistic at the same time. It’s a shame the lyrics aren’t included with the tape or at least online. Of course, I’m writing this as though you understand the world of Graham Repulski, and have not mentioned that fact that the music would make most people think they were listening to the radio and haven’t quite managed to tune in correctly. The album proceeds and the quality control is excellent, with random noise samples being kept in check for the most part.
Normally GR can’t keep up this quality for the whole album, and the second side indeed grips me less. The songs are shorter and seem like initial ideas, not fully formed. Whilst ‘No Title #4’ is a lovely 36 second number, the three tracks after that are a mess. Still, on the whole it’s a worthy listen and, putting Guided by Voices comparisons aside, this is a unique creator of music. There’s different album art on every tape and I’ve managed to get the close up of someone’s crotch.
8th January 2017