Labels: self released
Review by: Tom Howells
Despite ominous first impressions (terrible artwork, “wacky’ sounding track names) Springinsguth is a really good summery indie-pop record. Ideally timed! From what I can tell this is the first thing proper that Truman & His Trophy have put out, and the lack of stylistic cohesion in some of the songwriting makes this pretty evident. If this had been cut down to maybe five tracks of the more speedy, noisy tracks like “No Forks No Spoons’, “Pig Necklace’ and “Nails'”the latter of which which will be particularly suitable for BBQs and riding bikes in parks for its notable pleasantness”it would have been a genuine keeper. Plus, this reminds me in parts of Haywood (who I’d completely forgotten about until I listened to it, so points there), the more straightforward bits of twinkly darlings like Algernon Cadwallader, and old Miracle of 86, diluted with a trough-full of straight up summery pop-punk. Which is pretty great! They should definitely crack on with this kind of thing. The drumming especially is stellar on this record. You really can never have too many fast snare fills.
Danger looms though, with “Flower Man Party’, which is absolutely heinous and sounds like a dancey version of Sherwood replete with wince-inducing lines like “The government won’t hold back the party in my living room”. Eurgh. Now that I’ve deleted that from my itunes the whole album flows a whole lot better and I don’t have to try and put myself in a better mood half way through.
So, as it stands, half great, two fifths good, one tenth appalling. Pretty good going.