Missive 12
21-01-2003
Singled Out 12 (Part 1).

Late as usual January 22nd 2003
Fingers Crossed till February 5th 2003.

Don’t time fly, back with another Singled Out feature and a damn fine one even if I do say so myself, I’ll make this intro very brief other than to say expect an additional Missive special in the next few days running through a few albums that missed the boat from last year. Also, goes without saying to remind you of the change to the mailing address, please see the previous Missive (Number 11) for details.

And before we kick off with the singles this time around just a word of mention to a few sad losses to the world of pop / rock. Just before Christmas, Mary Hansen of Stereolab and Mouse on Mars fame was tragically killed in London as a result of a reversing truck hitting her bicycle. Hansen joined the ‘Lab in 1992, her soft vocals complimenting perfectly the Francophile tones of Letitia Sadier, while her guitar work gave Stereolab an added fluidity and edge, sculpturing the sound towards more poppified treatments. Her loss will be dramatically felt by the Stereolab collective who in recent years had moved from underground cultism to outer fringes chart success. Our condolences go out to her friends and family, Stereolab and John and Sarah at Brassneck.

Bee Gees might not be the kind of band that would ordinarily feature in these pages, however no one can deny their contribution to pop in the last 4 decades whether it be as songwriters and performers or as producers. So then it came as a shock to hear of the death of Maurice Gibb, the quiet one of the trio. Maurice, twin brother of Robin died of a heart attack whilst undergoing surgery for a stomach blockage. Maurice always came across in interviews as the most unphazed member of the band, by all accounts a practical joker and always able to see the funny side of any situation. Possessing a ‘second harmony’, this range of harmony is apparently a rare talent for men, his vocal acted as the core blend for the trademark Bee Gee sound in the 70’s. Our thoughts go out to Barry, Robin and friends and family.

Lastly, and by no means least. Last week saw the death of Micky ‘Bongoes’ Finn. Micky was the side kick to Marc Bolan in the classic T-Rex formation. Joining Bolan in 1969 replacing Steve Took, Finn was a key member throughout the transformation of T-Rex from hippy guru’s to glam gods. In recent years Finn had been persuaded to reform T-Rex which he did with the help of Bolan’s son Roland. Mickey died of kidney and liver complications in Croydon. Respect due and thoughts to his family and friends.

Another two-part extravaganza as there is so much to get through, so keep your eyes peeled for Singled Out Missive 12 (Part 2). Without any more waffle to the singles….

Cranebuilders ‘You’re Song’ (Skinny Dog Records). Another ensemble from the seemingly ever-expanding Liverpool scene. Cranebuilders are a five piece band who have been causing a bit of a stir in the last year or so with their much touted demo CD. Regrettably we missed their ‘official’ debut ‘Bitch’, but ‘You’re Song’ will more than do while we add it to the shopping list and spend our fun time tracking it down. Featuring four tracks, 3 of which have been culled from their much talked about session for John Peel in August last year. If points were awarded simply for charm then this neat 7” package would bag the lot, music wise, their sound has an effecting grace that makes it easier to see the Velvet Underground clichés so readily flung at their feet. However scratch a little deeper and there are passing nods to a previous Scouse band of old, the Wild Swans. Sullen, heart tugging acoustics are the order of the day on ‘You’re Song’, classically touched with an ethereal texture and laden with enough melodic twists as to make it a record you’ll hum in those unguarded moments. ‘Morning cup’ the best of the bunch, drone like melodies that appear to amble to nowhere, but just wait for this thing to kick in to the senses, irresistible miserabilism that comes on like a mantra, unstoppable stuff. Littered references to Leonard Cohen and Smog are probably best served by ‘Now I hear you’. A slow dragging track that sounds like it’s been stripped against its will from the protagonist’s very own soul, a smouldering and tortured love song. ‘Public Space’ wraps up things on an upbeat note though still perturbed by a melancholic chill, very Go Betweens if truth be known, and hey there’s nothing wrong in that is there? Cranebuilders have the tools at their disposal to be a class apart, a band who on the evidence of what I’ve heard so far should prove to be one of the greats in the future. www.skinnydogrecords.com

The Henry Martini Rifles ‘Luger 6000’ (Blast First). Following hot in the molten footsteps of Terrashima who featured in these very pages last month, are Cardiff based The Henry Martini Rifles. Another release in the Sonic Mook Experiment 7” series. ‘Luger 6000’ is a short and sweet full frontal earlobe assault that passes nods to the Pixies in all there manic mayhem glory. A dizzying velocity fuelled rocker, girl / boy vocals and stuttered chomping guitars that hit so hard you’ll be lucky to escape with only a noise bleed. ‘God make me’ on the flip increases the ante further to white-hot proportions, like a schizo Sonic Youth in mischievous mode, making it easy to see why this lot gave the rest of the bill for the Sonic Mook tour a run for their money. By the time you get to the last track ‘Destroy those Infidels’, you begin to wonder just how this lot manage to keep this all together without flying off the tracks. A monster of a single. www.sonicmook.co.uk

Devics ‘Red Morning’ (Bella Union). I’m ashamed to admit that this little lots previous material has so far passed me by without me ever knowing of them. This LA based three piece are now up to their fourth long player. ‘Red Morning’ taken I assume from the current platter is a slow unfolding, call it meandering, achingly touching tribune. Similarities to Portishead are immediate, that same kind of sense of detachment and longing. Flip over and things get a mite more surreal. It’s not often that you get to hear a cover of an old Boney M hit, and more so which is done in such a way as to totally throw a sharpened twist upon the original. Devics cast a macabre chill over the proceedings, the original was a poppy in your face happy go lucky tune, now rendered with such a ghostly edge that it could easily be a muted love song from the other side. Distant, chilling and bloody awesome and with a choice of speeds at which to play it as even now I’m not totally convinced it should be played at the stated rpm noted on the label, that said at whatever speed it still sounds supernatural. A single worth buying for the flipside alone. www.bellaunion.com

Various ‘The Way Things Change’ Volume 1 (Red Square). You may remember a while back that we reviewed Volumes 2 and 3 of this collection, and here we are months on and thanks to Jen Turrell up pops Volume 1. Pressed on Red Vinyl and limited, if I recall correctly, to only 100 copies, volume 1 like it’s counterparts collects together six similar minded artists all furrowing in the playing fields of sparkly pop. This time around it looks like it’s the girls vs. the boys. Side 1 comprises of the girls, opening the set is Jen Turrell with the very sweet ‘Falling’. Not the Julie Cruise track, although this does have a similar icy edge to it. Blissful strings underpin a dreamy acoustic montage all metered out with a refinement that’s hard to avoid or love. Kelly Slusher I’m ashamed to report is someone I know nothing about other than she moonlights in a band with a Boy called Thor by the name of Boothby. ‘I need you’ is an equally treasured experience, coming from the same innocent summer sounding pop sheen as espoused all those years ago by Sarah Records, very sweet. The Pines whom I suspect have featured in these pages sometime last year enter the fray with the simply gorgeous ‘Fields of Spain’, 60’s stylings that recall in the main Damon and Naomi and equally ethereal at that. Flip over the disc for the lads. Kick starting with Steward who together with his other half, Jen Turrell will feature again later on in their own right. This time around he offers up ‘Something to crave’ another one of those heart tugging weepies, too short for it’s own good, but lush with tear inspired strings while it lasts. A boy named Thor is none other than multi instrumentalist Jason Corace. He’s been responsible for a plethora of releases for labels such as Motorway, Popgun and our old friends Best Kept Secret. ‘Annapolis’ I have to admit is the best thing I’ve heard from him, the trademark stripped down ideology is still there, but this track pertains to have more body than previous releases. Last up, K records recording star, Calvin Johnson with ‘Love will come again’. More melancholia, sounds like it was recorded by the bar after a heavy drinking session, nonetheless still worthy of a peek. Contact jenturrell@hotmail.com

Mekhanist ‘Whistle while you work’ (9 to 5 Recordings). Thankfully not or not thankfully, depending on your perspective, a cover of the track as originally sung by the Seven Dwarfs in Disney’s ‘Snow White’. Not really sure how many of these blighters are around but if you are into easy pop it may be well worth the trouble in tracking a copy down. ‘Whistle while you work’ really has an air of Stereolab to it but without the Francophile vocals. Subtle drum ‘n’ bass beats, gorgeous lounge pop atmospherics honed with the merest of jazz grooves and replete with wandering whistling aplenty, these guys or gals certainly know how to treat us here. The overall effect is not dissimilar to the emotive and chic backdrops so cutely exercised by Le Bleu. Flip over for the oddly titled ‘Panty Liner’. Working in the same confines as Emperor Penguin, 70’s style grooves, funky intoxicating bass lines, symphonic Studio 54 treatments and so summery late nights in feel that I could have sworn I was getting sunburn just listening to it. www.nine2fiveoffic.com or www.kudosrecords.co.uk

The Capes ‘Laptop Parade’ (Mandarin Records). Ha you know how it is, pick up a record by a previously unknown to you band and get it home to find it was from last year and that they currently have a new single about playing hide and seek in all decent record shops. Mind you if the latest release ‘I write the wrongs’ EP is anywhere near as good as ‘Laptop Parade’ then it’ll be worthwhile putting in the
hours to track the blighter down. ‘Laptop Parade’ had me recalling a band from years back called Soft Parade who recorded a brilliant debut 4 tracker on the label that brought us Curve, Anxious Records. ‘Laptop Parade’ recalls the same alluring melodies that kept the Soft Parade single in my mind all these years later. A charming mix of subtle countrified pop and lullaby-esque keyboards that add an eerie gloss amid a clockwork rhythm and make for the whole venture sounding like Smog doubling up with ISAN to produce a tranquil and beautiful moment in pop. ‘Gourmet Gourmet’ on the flip side is a lot more lively and imagines a very early ‘Slates’ era Fall mixing it up with the wacky tendencies of Supergrass, the compulsion to play over and over again is unavoidable. A priceless single. www.cape-canaveral.co.uk

the Earlies ’25 Easy Pieces’ (Names on Records). Another vinyl release that should be noted atop any record shopping list is the second single from the Earlies. Currently attracting airplay, the lead track ’25 easy pieces’ is to feature on the forthcoming ‘Roomful of Tuneful’ compilation from the Melodic label, while the band will be radio session guests of John Kennedy on London’s XFM. It was by no small measure or accident that this particular track got the thumbs up and achieved pole position in the Losing Today play list chart over the festive period. ’25 easy pieces’ will warm hearts and flatten the melancholic urges of these winter-dulled days. An unrivalled sorcerer’s potion of sparkled melodic finesse, an enchanted and epic sounding track that has you imagining Spiritualised with the arranging dream team of Brian Wilson, George Martin and Phil Spector sitting in on production duties. ‘Long road (again)’ marches a spaceward path, seductive and incredibly fragile, so sedately calming you’d swear you could astral plane to it, zig zagging drone like electronics that are perfectly complemented midway through when the sultry saxophone accompaniment breezes in, which is itself chaperoned by some tender tinkling of the ivories until you have what was at the start an empty canvas is by the end an intricately colourful masterpiece. A gem to say the least. www.theearlies.com

Polyester ‘Half way to the Sun’ EP (For Us Records). Following on from last missives brace of reviews, another release from Rough Trade’s off shoot For Us Records. I suspect that this has been out for a fair while, but let’s face it you just can’t hold a good tune or as in this case good tunes down. Polyester are not as first suspected a band as such but rather a one man enterprise by the name of Johan Lagerstrom from Sweden. On the evidence displayed on these four tracks a very talented individual who it seems has a penchant for the Beatles. Opening with the intoxicating rush of ‘Anytime’ which honestly sounds like the Rutles giving their most polished tribute to the Beatles and benefiting with the kind of roughened production work as found on the Fab 4’s first Anthology instalment. Sneak in a few passing nods to Of Montreal and it makes for a damn fine hip jiggling tune. ‘C’mon Baby’ is more Everley’s than McCartney’s, lo-fi production means that it sounds like a newly discovered reel to reel recording from eons back, easy to recognise the pre Moptop influence of the Silver Beatles at work here, smart, sweet and spiffing stuff. Flip over for the superbly addictive ‘Halfway to the Sun’ with its high pitched off centre vocals that in some parts recall early Buddy Holly and married to the same kind of simplistic melody thrilled stuff that June Panic often churns out with such ease. Ending the collection with ‘Change the wind’ a slightly jaunty blues vibe, more in the essence of 50’s Sun sessions than modernist pop, and am I complaining? No siree. www.goddonttakevisa.com

Vince Mole and his Calcium Orchestra ‘Nothing’ (Happy Happy Birthday to Me / Jonathon Whiskey). Limited to 500 pressings and a joint adventure between Florida’s leading E6 label HHBTM and Leeds’ finest underground label Jonathon Whiskey. ‘Nothing’ is a psyche lovers dream ticket, very much in the Green Pyjamas way of things, spiralling guitar riff, hazy fuzz filled shocks all blended into a twisting slow burning drone brew. It leaves you to imagine basement clubs where only the cool kids are allowed in, smoke infested rooms with low ceilings replete with strobe lights and an clientele who don sunglasses by night, with the Calcium kids ‘Nothing’ the in house soundtrack. Flip over for ‘It’s raining in my mouth’ a smoothed rocker by contrast, still with the 60’s hooks that almost sounds like Blondie’s ‘Denis’ at the start, but transforms itself into a real hot potch of ad hoc rhythms and melodic cul de sacs, thoroughly entertaining all the same. ‘The Room Song’ hooks up with the E6 sound but adds to it a slight obsession with the pub rock sound of Brinsley Schwartz and their like and of the three tracks the nearest to pop normality as your likely to get. An essential release it goes without saying. www.hhbtm.com or www.normansrecords.com

The Orchid Pool ‘Imaginary Instruments’ EP (Happy Happy Birthday Records). And staying with the HHBTM roster for a moment for something really deliciously special. Limited to 500 copies, each individually sleeved with the first 50 hand made / painted by the band as if you need a reason to add this to your record collection. The Orchid Pool centre around Tony and Kim Paglia and if you like your pop stuff considerably off centre but still with a mindful eye for a catchy hook line then are you in for a treat. Kicking off with the very wonderful ‘When you gonna see things my way’ busies itself in a strange concoction that draws upon Gilbert O’Sullivan and Randy Newman but gives the added twist of dressing them up in faraway landscapes more likely found on the Beatles ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ album, most notably ‘Fool on the Hill’, one of those got to hear tracks. ‘Sea Monkeys’ just races across the vinyl, wide eyed and wacky, think of the more wayward moments strayed into by Of Montreal and think of a number to multiply it by. Fizzy pop for kids high on E numbers. ‘Lullaby for De Von Smith’ which snuggles shyly on the flip side is one of those lay back and fall into a dreamy spell moments, exquisitely arranged summery pop that leaves you unable to decide whether to smile or cry. www.hhbtm.com

Karin Krogh-Public Enemies / Horne Singers ‘Watermelon Man’ (Wah Wah Moose Records). Again another release that I know absolutely nothing about, so nothing new there I hear you say. This thing whatever it is it’s amazing stuff. From what I can gather it’s the same track on both sides, with it’s original cut on one side and an updated cover on the flip with the whole point being to showcase the strength of Norwegian pop. However if the kind of stuff being put out by Gene Dayton Unit (see the last missive) is your bag then this is sure to create a storm. By the looks of things the Karin Krogh was originally recorded in 1966, and is indicative of the chic swinging sixties period of pop, Hammonds rival with jazz signatures to create a hip shaking showdown of sparkling easy pop. Flip over to the updated version of the same track by the Horne Singers, who polish up their set and place the oboes to the fore to create clinical lounge pop classic that retains the original 60’s vibe while subtly adding in some cool sophisticated Edwin Moses style funky orchestrations. A real gem and a must for all you Emperor Penguin fans. simon@wahwah.ftech.co.uk or www.blajazz.com

Thread ‘Do what you do’ (Victory Garden Records). Another blinding release from the ever erratic though thoroughly entertaining Victory Garden crew. Following on from the stunning Trencher debut of a few weeks back, a release that I hasten to add I’ve only just got over and am now able to sleep at nights with the lights off. So now the VG guys give us some no nonsense rattle, bang, twang pop. Not withstanding a press release declaring ‘you will not hear a better debut in 2003’, stands to reason it’s gonna be rubbish, doesn’t it? Well, no. Thread are a tri-nation three piece who have managed to serve three storming, up there and boxing with the best pop tunes around. ‘Do what you do’ is a real hot pot, you could mention the ad hoc time signatures that recall classic Fall / Nightingales; the accelerating strumming guitars possessing the same rush as pre ‘George Best’ Wedding Present; however what you couldn’t fail to miss is it’s finger on the trigger ability to rock out, absorbing part beat culture to it’s ranks, post punk nostalgia and the essence of Beefheart and wrapping the whole thing in a ‘groovy for today’s kids’ sheen. ‘Breadcrumb trail’ over the flip delights itself in awkward riffs and imagines Fred Schneider of the B-52’s fronting Pavement, those who love the stuff currently being peddled by Garlic will no doubt swoon to this. ‘Beartrap’ completes the trio, and admittedly this did prick my ears especially as I have a soft spot for Hefner and Built to Spill and this nails the sound, mood and feeling perfectly. A creeping ballad-esque tracks that fences with clever word plays. As good a debut as anything put out by Fierce Panda and lert’s face it that’s saying something. www.victorygardenrecords.co.uk

Mommy and Daddy ‘Perfumed past her prime’ (Big Cat Records). Not to be confused with Twisted Nerves recording stars Mum and Dad. Two more slabs of post punk dirty electronic in the same vein as Miss Kitten, The Droyds et al. ‘Perfumed past her prime’ neatly embraces the remoteness of pre Jo and Sue Human League breathing the same clinical sterilised detachment as found on ‘Being Boiled’ but with an added seedy value in the mix. Flip over for ‘Take it’ an edgy electro punk that draws similarities to the duo Winterbrief. Devilishly spiked with a hint of classic Devo, fast and furious and very much in your face. www.mommyanddaddy.com

V-Twin ‘Swiss Air’ (Domino Records). More wayward sounds from the mighty V-Twin. ‘Swiss Air’ leaves behind the Johnny Thunders / N.Y. Dolls comparisons of the previous single. A really screwed up eye popper that seems to take its original blueprint from Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ though you’d have to play it a few times to hook into it; a cracked fusion of spacey searing electronics and swirling Robert Fripp guitar signatures. Classy stuff. ‘K-Doe kick da bucket’ is the favoured cut over on the flip, part melancholic part smokey filled jazz club wig out, and you thought Lemon Jelly were weird, a deployment of a seriously wayward saxophone that seems to go off and do its own thing whilst breathing an air of abject loneliness that nails the same effect, albeit in a twisted manner, Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. Aside that some wonderfully mischievous sparseness throughout as fragments of half finished tunes pop unexpectedly into the void where a lone voice holds it altogether. Very, very trippy and goofy. www.dominorecordco.com

The Paybacks / Hentchmen ‘Split Single’ (Rex Records). Split single time with one of the bands having previously been mentioned in these pages. Two tracks each, the Hentchmen leading out with ‘All about girls’ where they get to sound like an early and edgy incarnation of Generation X, punk pop melodies replete with handclaps and groovy 60’s Hammonds. ‘Virginia Dare’ follows in similar fashion, possessing some moments of frenetic guitars and some deliciously fast and furious anthemic pop and even manages to snake in some 50’s stylings and touches of the Beach Boys. The Paybacks offer up a more grittier affair, sounding like MC5 on ‘Scotch love’ and having a guitarist with pretensions of being a heavy metaller all hanging together with one of the most passionate in your face vocals since the Bellrays. ‘Lazy things’ is storming stuff an absorbing cross between Mott the Hoople and the Faces. www.rexrecords.com

Audio Bully’s ‘We don’t care’ (Source Records). A one sided 7” bag of fun pressed on tasty white vinyl. Very much a schizo offering from the Audio Bully’s who seem to have a tendency to slip into some prime time funky dance tuneage where it’s all mirror balls and flashing floor tiles and marry it to football terrace chants in the blink of an eye. To these ears very much reminiscent of the couldn’t give a damn ladism attitude as found on early releases by the mighty Flowered Up. That good? Well yes. www.sourcelab.net

Joy Zipper ‘Gun Control’ EP (13 Amp Records). If you have any spare monies lying around then can I wholly recommend that you head straight out to the local record store to track down this neat little 7” by Joy Zipper. From the earliest opening this thing hooks you immediately and reels you in. ‘Gun control’ has brainwashing tactics that recall My Bloody Valentine without the sonic whiteout. Every year a single comes along that is head and shoulders above the chasing pack and this has all the credentials to be that record. Reinforced by a chorus wall of sound, this space psyche rocker is fluent with killer hooks, slide guitars and feel good exuberance. It makes it worthwhile to get a single with one blinding track but to get two is being greedy, certainly the best two track seven inch to come my way since last years Oddfellows Casino debut, in many respects ‘Christmas Song’ captures some of that singles mysticism, so out of step with current fads, it’ll melt hearts and become a frequently visited classic in the future. It’s melody is so feint and undemanding that you can’t help being spellbound by it’s delicate incense, in some ways recalling the spectral nature of the House of Love’s more intimate shots to the heart; one minute ghostly the next drenched in soothing Hammonds; breezy psychedelia, enduring and masterful and if you needed any further credentials production credits by the Syd Barret of this generation, Kevin Shields. Dare I say a sublime release. www.13amp.tv or www.joyzipper.tv

See you in Part 2....