Parquet Courts –‘ You’ve Got Me
Wonderin’ Now’
When Parquet Courts dropped their debut album last year,
folk were queuing to herald the new sound of rock ‘n’ roll. Of course the new
sound proved to be the old sound, but there’s nothing wrong with that if you
can pull it off. The reference points are still there, Pavement on fast-forward,
a little Modern Lovers and of course The Strokes; so thankfully is the
attitude.
Fuzzed guitars, discordant lead lines and a guitar solo that
sounds like a stylophone on steroids, all delivered with the sort of easy
swagger only obtainable when you just don’t
give a s**t, a skill not easy to achieve.
“Toothache's better
than heartache baby, I've figured that much out
And I thought I knew a
thing or two about the blues, but you've got me wonderin' now”
Parquet Courts' spiritual home would surely be New York’s
CBGB’s. Sadly no more, we suggest you find a dark venue where your feet stick
to the floor and wait for their arrival; we have a feeling you won’t have too
long to wait.
Suzuki Method – ‘Sherbet’
When Suzuki Method introduced themselves via debut release ‘Country
Cousins’ back in May
there was little doubt the Salford outfit had embraced their musical heritage, and we liked it. Five months on and the follow up ‘Sherbet’ certainly shows signs of development.
there was little doubt the Salford outfit had embraced their musical heritage, and we liked it. Five months on and the follow up ‘Sherbet’ certainly shows signs of development.
The mancunia electro and 80’s house vibes are still present
and correct, but added is a lushness in
production and greater regard for dynamics. The interwoven looping guitar lines
and synth are suitably delay-drenched and a real pleasure. They give way to
falsetto vocals and a fully fledged chorus, where the hook, although still subtle, is a little more to the fore than its predecessors. It has
a touch of ABC (that’s 1980’s Sheffield sophisti-poppers not the Jackson 5 1970
hit) about it, all-be-it with strong dance floor
leanings. In ‘Sherbet’ Suzuki Method
have taken a large stride in the right direction, but one can’t help feeling
they are still one killer hook away from dance floor domination; that’s should they
want it of course.
Spector – ‘Decade of Decay’
There was a time not so long ago when Fred Macpherson’s
confidence seemed to know no bounds, always something to say, always ready with
a witty quip. So read into it what you will when I tell you Spector’s return
sees Macpherson call for reinforcements. They come in the shape of Dev Hynes, (better
known as Lightspeed Champion to you and me) to share the writing duties.
Dev has of course written for the likes of Florence and the
Machine, Diana Vickers and The Chemical Brothers on their 2007 Grammy award
winning album ‘We Are The Night’. So what has Mr Hynes bought to the Spector
party. In truth it’s hard to say. The tune’s pleasant enough and sees Fred plumbing
the depths of his lower vocal range, supported by pulsing bass, synth sweeps
and the usual scratchy guitar fare. The descending ghostly backing vocals are a
nice touch and as you’d expect the hooks are pretty strong.
That said, ‘Decade
of Decay just doesn’t stir my passion one way or the other. I would neither rush
to change the station nor reach to crank the volume up.
As I check to make sure the song’s abrupt ending is indeed
the ending and not just a ghost in the machine, I find myself hoping for Spector’s
sake that this is not a portent of things to come?
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