Labels: self released
Review by: Andy Malcolm
This is another one of those bands that I sort of have to declare a ‘vested’ interest in. I have been listening to the original versions of these songs for some time now, and hearing the final mix on CD instead of rascally Myspace with it’s low bit-rates is a real pleasure. The demo opens up with “Dream Big”, aptly showing off the bands talent for rumbling the bass and constructing low-key, downbeat songs that can fairly rattle along when you least expect it. Lindsay’s distinctive vocals are what really takes this band to the next level for me. The almost monotonal drawl may put off some, but the style works superbly for this kind of music. Sonically it is somewhere near Rainer Maria but not exactly. The fat, warm bass is much more Evergreen-ish than you may be expecting, particularly on “Touchdown (Dance)”, a slightly poppier effort that didn’t catch my ear initially but now I have grown to enjoy. The other two songs here are ridiculously good considering they are the bands first recordings. “Catch the Spirit” twinkles into earshot with lovely echoe-ing vocals, the delightful bass and persistent ringing of the guitars combine with the wandering vocals for 4 minutes of awesomeness. This song and “First Down” would make a classy seven inch single together, “First Down” is probably my favourite song on the demo, racing off out of the blocks at quite some pace, keeping it up for the duration, swirling around with the vocals carrying the day. Such good stuff.
If you are into miserable, melodic emo styled music then Football, etc ought to be a favourite of yours right now. I suspect that the forthcoming LP will blow many of us away. Can’t wait.