Labels: Happy Astronaut
Review by: Tom Sloan
In the last few weeks I’ve been in the midst of my A-levels, as a result being particularly intolerant to shit records “” shit records everywhere I go! just piss off! I don’t have time for you!! Er, yes, anyway, I guess the point is that this is absolutely not a shit record”¦in fact it’s one that has totally lit up those monotonous days of which there has been all too many in recent weeks.
The key is originality, and energy “” two assets in which this little 7-tracker from the uk’s Itch has in tremendous abundance. The phrase “screamed/sung uk indie-rock’ automatically suggests local “legs’ (is that how you write the abbreviation to “legends’) Rydell, but this is an entirely different entity (unless you count track 3 that is often pleasingly similar-to-the-ear musically as something off “per ardua ad astra’). What we have is indie-rock sometimes slow and wandering and melodic, sometimes bouncy, often intricate, occasionally distorted, scruffy but always totally invigorating”¦it’s a classic case of music that can draw you in with its melodies, before coming in with a part that makes you think “fuck yeah, that works’. Don’t expect those boring regular song structures either: Itch take you wherever the hell they want and it never gets boring (latest settlefish album take note). Largely responsible for such a feat is the angularity of this record, it’s quirky in places but always honest and never pretentious, loud and quiet in all the right places, and has this perfect balance of different melodic styles. And hell, if those vocals don’t grab you by the scruff of the neck, I don’t know what will. Imagine someone like Robert Smith struggling with his own sanity, lurching between an eccentric, punky voice on the verge of breaking, and a scream that sounds like the guy has done just that. I’ve come to yearn for that scream when their songs play “” god does it hit you, shivers up the spine stuff. Track 4 “” cuckoo- a big, boldly played “rock’ opening, screams, then the slow parts and singing (“your provoking the sincere/I would cut off my ear for you”), a new part and screams and singing all over again. It then goes quiet again, but mid -paced and interesting”¦yet another new guitar part “” is this the same song?”¦and the climax,- the hoarsest screaming yet and a melodic guitar part borrowed from earlier gone all dishevelled and loud. In case you haven’t guessed, I love it.
This is no way going to float everyone’s boat out there, for the pure fact it’s angular and brave, punk and indie-rock at the same time (not always the best sounding idea), and british. I can see people taking one listen and immediately concluding their indifference. I really hope that doesn’t happen. The last song is just playing as I write this and if it isn’t one of the most perfect pieces of powerful, original and emotional rock music I’ve heard all year”¦a band that can make lyrics like “it’s as slow as a car-crash, a head-rush, a drop in the ocean”¦you’re a firefly, a shooting star. I can’t tell them apart” sound genuine, and in no way contrived, honestly hits a place in my chest that I only otherwise feel at magic moments during records as good as sunny day real estates’ “diary’ and the white octaves’ “style 6312′. I don’t understand those words”¦but I don’t have to “” Itch have won me over. Such imagery, attempted profundity and heart is more than justified and emotively effective in the wake of the brilliantly disparate nature of what has gone before.
Originality”¦energy”¦ stirring songs”¦and right on our doorstep. The uk needs bands like Itch. The best thing I’ve reviewed all year, and what a surprise. Brilliant. Thank you!