Labels: slowdance
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Take a look at that packaging (If you can’t, just pretend). Was I ever not going to like this record? Really? Of course not. Ok – think, a book. Really. It’s bound with black sellotape, has 5 thick pages with photos and words on, and the record slots into a little piece of card at the back, and the band are described as the ‘authors’. Phenomenal, I’m in love with this packaging!
If only the music was just as adorable. It’s solid, but not spectacular. Opener, “One In Twelve” is the best of the 4 songs present, a soft and lulling, mainly acoustic track with girl vocals. Next up is “Sandcastles on Sunday” – I love that name, it’s almost wasted on a song – a band should have used it as their name. This is more of a standard indie rocker, bits of Superchunk or, for a more obscure comparison, Luck of Aleia. They have a boy singing this one, he needs a bit of work on the vocals.
On the flip is “Shades of Emerald” and “Joy”. The former reminds me a bit of Rainer Maria but is basically just moderate indie rock that sounds a bit darker than most other indie rock. The band are back on track with the latter, with their brand of twinkly, semi-acoustic stuff. Slow and dreamy. I like. Irritating though that they forgot to include the run out groove on this side!
It’s 50/50 – but I look forward to what the future holds with this band, they show enough on this record to indicate it could be shiny.