Labels: Detournement
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Now this is some decidedly solid stuff from a band that has been knocking around for a
little while now. I am pretty sure this is their first release, but they have reason to be
proud – ensuring that their debut is well worth hearing, and avoiding the trap that so many bands fall into by releasing something too soon. It kicks off with a highly frantic and spazztastic track that lays out the bands
pattern for the rest of the side. And the 10″ format turns out to be the perfect vessel
for the band, delivering you enough of a taster for them yet not allowing them to outstay
their welcome either. I found it reminiscent of modern screamy emo bands such as the
Fiction, blending in a big wall of chaotic sound with an appreciation for the ramshackle yet
melodic nature of mid 90s exponents of excitable emo such as Mohinder. The guitars clatter
around at high speeds, complex and well played with two singers yelping excitedly and
breathlessly – the vocals are great, they fit the music perfectly, and its nice to hear them
done like this instead of the far too common (for my tastes at least) harsh screamy vox. One of the
songs has a beautifully melodic, twinkly part with soft spoken vocals too. Killer.
To calm things down N&tCoBP drop in a couple of lengthy and wandering instrumentals, one of
which fills an entire side, and the other eventually morphs into their regular style, but to be honest I was more in the mood
for the blazing emo and would be inclined to skip these parts if the record wasn’t playing
downstairs whilst I typed this review upstairs. I want the shirt tugging, not the
shoegazing!
Highly impressive, best emo band from Wales ever, for sure! And along with the likes of Mock
Heroic and What Price, Wonderland?, the UK certainly appears to be heading towards a golden
age for this genre not seen since Bob Tilton roamed the lands. Hurrah!