Labels: Fika Recordings – HHBTM Records
Review by: MH
I’ve just learnt that Turtle Taxi is a taxi service in Japan that allows you to dictate the pace of the journey by letting the driver know they’re going too fast or slow by means of a button that signals with a musical chime and turtle illustration. Brilliant. Also, when Suggested Friends filmed the video for the title track they used tortoises as turtles are a bit harder to come by in certain locations and luckily their friend homes tortoises (in Uxbridge!). Also brilliant. I’ve often tried to explain the difference between a turtle and a tortoise to my 4 year old with limited success. Same goes for crocodiles and alligators. My son, who’s 1, thinks a hippopotamus is the same as a pig though so it’s not that easy.
Now, with “Turtle Taxi”, I’d say this is a slightly softer record than their debut which was a little more raw. Also, there are horns here and there, big hooks, harmonies and guitar solos aplenty. In fact, I didn’t realise I liked horns or guitar solos but this record tells me I do. It’s laden with quality songs from the opening pairing of the wistful “Imminent” and the nostalgic imagery of “Cygnets” which are both excellent slices of power pop through to the closing pairing of the resilient “For Jokes” and the slower but no less powerful “Magnolia”. Lots in between too – the title track and “Pretty Soon Your Grave Will Be A Landfill” shouldn’t miss a mention. Likely to be listening to this one a lot this year.