Missive 58
20-03-2005
Singled Out – Missive 58

Dedicated as always to Kelly and Mark – missing you so much.

Transmission Date – Wednesday 16th March 2005.

‘Singled Out – Cool as f**k and cute with it’

Okay dispensing with the usual rambling pre-amble other than to briefly express our deepest sympathy and sadness at the news of Silver Apples’ drummer Danny Taylor’s passing last Thursday evening (10th March). Along with Simeon Coxe, Danny became what was to be the Silver Apples after the fall out caused by the imploding Overland Stage Electric Band. Armed with only an early version of the synthesiser, vocals and percussion the Silver Apples are today seen as one of the forefathers of electronic pop, utilising loops and found sounds in an era of late 60’s psychedelia they released two albums (‘Silver Apples’ and ‘Contact’) before going their separate ways. Reuniting briefly in the 90’s they have been cited as an influence by ensembles such as Spacemen 3, Low and Stereolab. At the time of writing it wasn’t known what caused Danny’s death but our thoughts are with his family and friends.

‘Singled Out** – if only your record collection could talk’

Okay as is usual these days this particular missive was due to go live in the middle of last week but has somewhat mushroomed so either expect one huge whopping musing or several tumbling over each other as the roll of the conveyor belt triplets, quadruples or perhaps quintets – who knows – I’m rambling again.

And before you all start fainting at the sight of yet another Singled Out Missive in as many days – the singles…….

The Black Velvets ‘3345’ (Mercury). Opening this particular missive with what can only be described as the best looking record we’ve seen in a long while. Pressed on 10 inches of plectrum shaped picture disc this has all the hallmarks of one of those ‘nice disc shame about the song’ affairs – kids need I remind you of the Lambrettas ‘D-d-d-d-ance’ – right so we are all on the same page then. So you can imagine the expectant horror, hand over the head, face contorted waiting for the obligatory tosh to come spewing out of the speakers as we guided the stylus with our free hand to connect with the wax. Not so I’m happy to report in fact we’d go along to say that this is rather tasty indeed albeit in a slightly future’s past kind of way. ‘3345’ comes charging out of the speakers like a neurotic take on the Charlatans who’ve left their north country boy tied up to a tree and taken to the bright lights for a night of booze and debauchery. Apparently named after a certain bar on Parr Street in my old home town of Beatle-pool, sorry, Liverpool this frenetic little nugget swaggers and struts its way from start to finish, in between stops for a slash, does a quick moon, gets your girls phone number at the point where you stifle a little yawn (see we are the all seeing eye – you just didn’t believe us) throws in a few well aimed casual ear pricking hooks and a barnstorming foot tapping anthem gloss. More Mott than Metal we say. ‘Soul Saviour’ on the flip is a fuzzier affair and though we can clearly see their aiming for that whole Led Zeppelin with a groove meets poppy Mudhoney at the local rack ‘em up and knock ‘em back bar we can’t help hearing Squeeze’s ‘Slap ‘n’ tickle’ fluttering through the haze. Hey but that’s a good thing isn’t it?!

Nine Black Alps ‘Shot Down’ (Island). Just slightly down the motorway from the Black Velvets are Manchester’s worst kept secret – Nine Black Alps. Barely having time to plug in their guitars they became last years big feeding frenzy among labels searching for the new…er…Nirvana – ha ha get a life, we said that to wind you up, what we meant to say of course was the new Stereophonics – again we tease – for fuck’s sake ones bad enough (of course again we are teasing). Whatever Island think they’ve got with their barely dry inked cheque Nine Black Alps are repaying ten fold because this dudes so infectiously cool that you’d be forgiving for thinking it comes armed with its own designer labels. ‘Shot Down’ is a riotous wash of abrasively frenetic fun that’s been lovingly fast packed into a scorching three minute cauldron of pure as you like spiky topped pop that for the best part harks back to those golden age Buzzcocks records from the late 70’s where it seemed like the whole world could be ablaze and that nothing else mattered until that stylus left the wax. This baby’s the same but with the added quotient of having more twists than a teen horror flick and a melody so manically brazen and bullish that your head feels like the sky’s crashed upon it. ‘Ilana Song’ over on the flip though not as instant and in your face as its partner in crime still manages to nag you into submission sounding like some nightmarish alleyway collision between an unravelling Oasis really down on their heels looking for kudos and a demonic sounding Six by Seven smelling blood. Of course you know it goes without saying that your record collection needs this. Pressed on light blue vinyl and limited to 1000 copies. www.islandrecords.co.uk

The House of Love ‘Love you too much’ (Art and Industry). About time, forget all the pretenders Anderson / Butler, Squire / Brown et al for me Chadwick and Bickers were always the real deal, cool and reposed they could together draw you so low that the earth beneath your feet opening up couldn’t drop you that far while at the drop of a hat elevate you to euphoric highs. So 15 years after that fateful night when the guitarist was unceremoniously booted out of the band (and tour van) and 10 years since anything new from HOL worth shouting about Bickers and Chadwick are back, talking and recording. ‘Love you too much’ is taken from the bands 5th album the newly released ‘Days run away’ (of which the title alone just needs to be heard to be believed) is just what you’d expect from a newly reunited couple of 40 something’s who’ve been away for far too long, it’s nothing primal or spectral as days gone past would suggest or hope for, but more to viewed as a re-acquaintance than anything else, calm and considered, it smoulders in its own finite way simmering quietly refraining from going full tilt preferring not to give up too much of itself, rather more feeling its way around caressing cautiously with all the trademark elegance and sensitivity nuzzling distantly in the background, damn fine all the same whatever way you paint it up. Flip over for the nakedly drawn hurting ‘Skies Alive’ with Bickers deftly carved acoustics kindling a courtship with Chadwick’s frail and resigned vocals to a simple, uncomplicated and touching conclusion that, admittedly lacking in the ache of say ‘Blind’ – still has enough tingle to make a grown man sniffle. Honorary single of the missive but don’t tell Nine Black Alps. www.artandindustry.co.uk

New Order ‘Krafty’ (London). Couch potatoes of the world unite. Second bite at the cherry for New Order as we have technically already swooned aplenty over this in Missive 56 but since when did minor details like that stop us from ramming home how good a tune is eh? Okay if truth be told we are playing the game here as this CD features a few additional remixes that fell off the last disc however rumour has it there are currently 2,294 different versions of ‘Krafty’ kicking around so who knows there may well be a Singled Out special purely devoted to the blighters quite shortly. This is the one with the video which for those that like wildlife, no not that type of wildlife you dirty minded folk, but gazelles and stripy and spotty things with fluffy ears and big teeth will love. Of course we are having you on as it features spotty Herberts (well one spotty Herbert) bunking off work for a quick bit of how’s your father with plenty of tonsil checking and tongue football, nearly choked on me Guinness I did. Anyway back to New Order, one video and 4 rehashes of ‘Krafty’ that include the no nonsense throb heavy extended mix by The Glimmers which by rights should leave fractures on a dance floor by you and still kicks like ‘Run 2’ wanted to. Andy Green’s mix adds in abundance a heavy helping of romance to the cause tripping out sounding like a super sheen era ‘Brotherhood’ era New Order while the album edit deploys a celluloid fabric to the caper. Best of the set though is the Phones ‘Reality’ remix with its jerky minimalist detachment and squelching bordering on breakdown body checking fuzzy calculator bop. Cute as a shiny new button if you ask us.

The Good ‘Send in the Cavalry’ (Resolution). Another release we managed to root out from the great mysterious appearing CD boxes drama and quite frankly something we reckon has probably been in the charts, topped them and after a marathon pre Xmas run only just departing due to the restriction orders on materials used to make cd’s. The Good are a trio from Australia and this neat little four track EP follows hot on the heels of their well-received debut full length ‘Move Along’ from last year. A sultry mix of slow lingering top of the drawer songsmith-ship, softening boy - girl vocals, breathless at ease smouldering simplicity (just check out the recoiling ‘Working Class Hands’), the delicately bruising soft rock radio friendly caress of the smooth ‘Move Along’ or the acoustic sting of claustrophobic love revealed on ‘True what they say’. For me though, strip aside the obvious Def Leppard-isms, ‘Send in the Cavalry’ is a real shot in the arm for lovers of pre ‘Robin Hood’ Bryan Adams, jabbing guitars, hooks so infectious they probably carry a world health organisation category listing whilst possessing more feel good vibes than a years supply of Prozac prescriptions and if there was any justice in the world then currently seen to be driving you nuts with its heavy rotation appeal on MTV. Nuff said. www.thegoodband.com

Empire Builder / Thunder! Thunder! Thunder! ‘Split’ (Gringo). No information with this at all but hey – like since when did that ever stop some damn fine rooting tooting tunes squirming their way from the old hi-fi. This split single is part of Gringo’s ongoing ‘singles club’ which we are horrified to admit we knew nothing about and are now much mortified in the knowledge that we’ve been missing out big time especially seeing as this release is the fifth of six in the planned set which incidentally has / or may (as the case may be) features choice cuts from Erase Errata, New Radiant Storm King and El Hombre Trajeado which for us is enough alone to have us weeping buckets at our loss. Each release comes packaged in a neat cardboard sleeve pretty much in the same style as those beloved Noisebox releases of yesteryear – and each is limited to 500 copies. Seeking solace then in this cute little ear pricker, Empire Builder despite being around for a few years you won’t be to surprised to hear are pretty much unknown to me so what a joy it was to hear these Glasgow based dudes in all their melodic glory crunching their way through ‘How the Mighty have stagnated’. Scratch away at the see-sawing riffs of what is ostensibly post rock-ist chiming noodles and you’ll be greeted by something of a tender pop motif buried low down into the mix, in fact its such a sweetie that it has you on the back heel immediately but then Empire Builder being as they are realise this to their advantage slowly reeling you in dreamily before trouncing you with unbridled moments of reverse chord twanging thrusts as if to casually remind you who they are, what they are and why you need them doing their thang all over your hi-fi. Thunder! Thunder! Thunder! over on the flip are a little more resolute in their approach and hey guess what – no info (we really must get this journalist thing sorted). Anyway ‘As in Stop’ is bulging with all manner of jerky stop start dynamics much loved by the math rock fraternity though here displayed with less of an observation to calculus and more to obtuse angular contortions as the ensemble frug their way through three minutes of what sounds not unlike an autumnal ‘fuck you – were cool’ lazy as you like skewed Sonic Youth sharing stage space with a toned down Quickspace. Goes without saying you should have this. www.gringorecords.com

The Subways ‘Oh Yeah’ (City Pavement). More skinny kids with fat bulging tunes. The Subways have been tipped by many as the ‘gonna be the hottest thing’ since the naked flame and who are we to argue. ‘Oh Yeah’ is the debut delivery from the Subways, a trio hailing from the un-rock’n’roll backwaters of Welwyn Garden City would you believe and my what a tasty ear glowing foot tapping adrenalin pumping cutie this two track offering proves to be. ‘Oh yeah’ sadly not the needs to be mauled tune from Roxy Ferry of yesteryear but a swanking toe to toe in your face pop riot that swaggers petulantly to nick just inside the classic three minute barrier. Produced by Ian Broudie no less it rekindles those initial impressions sparked by those early White Stripes releases that came to tug and tease the old hi-fi, that almost unquestionable element of shambolic primal urgency that suggested you needed it more than it needed you. This cutie whips up with a caustic pop coda that’s fighting for its life buried beneath the frenetic denseness that’s all at once liable to leave you punch drunk with its catchy as hell corkscrew twists. Needless to say it’s corruptive, cool and crucial. Flip the disc and you get the equally devilish ‘Take me Away’. Delivering the usual recipe of potent hi-fi wrecking tuneage this babe is dressed up dirtily with a low slung riff and a trouncing head bruising frontal assault that suggests its way to casual to be considered slacker. Killer stuff all told. www.thesubways.net

And to tuck you safely to bed a little something soothing –

Infinite Scale ‘Sound Senser’ (Toytronic). A debut release no less from one half of Ecostani who you may or may not know remixed Suga Daddy and the Bhangra Knights a few years back. This debut features six beautifully cut electronic symphonies all brought to you courtesy of those nice people at Toytronic. Domestics out of the way firstly, this cutie comes as on vinyl and CD formats with an extremely limited number (150) being pressed on coloured wax. As reward for your spondoolies you get 30 minutes worth of scrumptious lunar lullabies grazed by suggestively lulling down tempo vibes. In amongst the colourful array of clicks, squelches and ethereal whispers Infinite Scale soundtracks an environment that’s cocooned in a melting playground that exists tucked in the inner reaches of the mind somewhere between reality and dreams where the glow of alien suns bathe calming interstellar beaches. From the moment the fluffy interludes of the opening ‘Acoustic Snails’ kick in you immediately sense you are in a place that’s all at once special, secretive and safe, emitting its sensual signals Infinite Scale glides amid the swirl of celestial orchestrations as infectious as an air bound virus, shuffling beats sensitively jiggle and rub lovingly to underpin the hovering electronic symphony growing with stealth above. ‘Ghost‘ endows a frosty pop demeanour, like a miniature procession of chattering toy boxes brought in from the cold to thaw out, rubbing their eyes ready to play, the melodies are soft to the touch, there cavernous charm reminiscent of the rococo rom-pop of ISAN. ‘Fade‘ bathes itself in all manner of delirious heavenly sounding sugar coated harp strings that prickle to arrest you with a vague Oriental charm. Best of the collection though are the unbridled joyousness of the coalescing sound of Ice Cream Van broadcasts lining aside the exaltation of a hundred village Sunday morning jubilations found on the tranquil ‘In Motion’ as they seductively extend their welcoming hand within the safe haven of under the influence meditation pop, perfect stuff. www.toytronic.com

And that’s your lot for a day or so expect two or three more missives in hot pursuit between now and mid week.

As is always the case my debt and gratitude to all those who’ve made these musings possible whether it be the bands, press agents or labels – too many to mention but you know who you are and of course not forgetting you, yes you for taking the time out to wade through these ramblings and I sincerely hope you find something to set your record collection a-chattering feverishly.

Complaints, death threats and offers of marriage (the latter two being the same thing I suppose) readily encouraged, we do like emails and I promise not to bite and more importantly to reply.


‘The Sunday Experience – coming real soon to a PC near you’

Take care of yourselves,

Lots of love,

Mark
X

Singled Out is best served chilled with a speciality side erder all lovingly tendered on a slow bake.

**Singled Out is a fat free product tested on Hi-Fi’s in controlled conditions. Repeated dosages may cause infrequent bouts of exuberance and wig flipping – if side effects continue – desist from all activities retire to a darkened room and repeat experience at maximum volume.

Singled Out was brought to you by ‘Our Records Are Better Than Yours – So ne ne ne ne ne’ productions – we reserve the right to dis your record collection – now piss off – over and out.