Labels: Rough Book Records – Sex Cave Records – Sometimes I Get Drunk
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I wonder what Chalk Talk’s actual influences are? I don’t think they are bad, anyway. Ok, so I wasn’t massively impressed with them the first time around, but this 6 song EP is a fair bit of a step up, which is nice. Chalk Talk have decided to blend the poppy indie of Captured Track staples such as Beach Fossils, with something like Teenage Cool Kids and a spot of twiddly “mo. This is a pretty solid combo of sounds, although when it comes to mixing up the “mo and the beachy vibez, they don’t quite pull it off with the aplomb of Places We Slept. “Orchard Torture” is probably the pick of the songs on offer, where they slow things down to great effect, it gives them a chance to show off their songwriting prowess, as at other times the record is enjoyably free wheeling out of control. Finale “Memo: Sploof” is a fine example of that, throwing in oddball lyrics and spinning off in different directions before settling into a hazy Duck Tails-esque outro. The more I listen to Bad Influences, the more it brings to mind TCK or the earlier, sloppier songs by Meneguar. Or that band that Meneguar were before they were Meneguar, who I can’t remember the name of. Ah, last.fm to the rescue – Sheryl’s Magnetic Aura!
Second opinion: Vicki says it’s great, and likes the funny lyrics which I didn’t make out as I was concentrating on writing this, and anyway I am too serious and emo to like funny lyrics. She thinks this second opinion bit makes her sound lame though. Sorry Vicki.