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[(2 l NORTHERN ALLIANCE The Hand of God it f:fl’,‘:i ....
117.1". if}: .7. ‘32:.- Nariied after "3:." lvlaradoiia”, infamous goal against E nqland in the ‘8‘; World Cup, Last lothian lo~fi shamblers Northern Alliance's fourth l l’ might seem like a (inqoistic poke
SINGLES & DOWNLOADS
southwards. but in
looking affair. Between slow clicking
keys and hazy
Sons & Daugm .g .
Pop music. What's the point of it all? Why. quite clearly to ensure that the horrifying likes of McFly can continue to be the beneficiaries of monumental marketing campaigns when all their original fans are surely thinking about starter mortgages these days. The band's new single ‘The Heart Never Lies’
(Universal) 0 is three-and-a-half more minutes of flat-packed ennui in a plastic box (or on a hard drive. if you prefer).
At least nostalgia's a vague excuse for the almost-as-dull Take That. whose ‘Rule the World' (Polydor) O is your standard pick'n'mix ballad. while the previously commendable Sugababes tread the weary Europop route with ‘About You Now' (Universal). . It's enough to make you. y'know. grow up.
Hold on. though. let's not lose faith. There's loads of great proper music out right now. starting with the brooding, Fall-like groove of Prinzhorn Dance School’s ‘You Are the Space Invader' (DFA) m , or the joyful home-made symphonies of Melbourne's Architecture in Helsinki. with ‘Hold Music' (V2) 0” sounding like The 8623 turned all the way up to 11.
Offering more Ieftfield thrills this time out are Cold War Kids. whose ‘We Used to Vacation' (V2) 000 is no ‘Hang Me Out to Dry'. although it's an angstful. dramatic tune which adds a bit more to the canon of a promising young band. Much like Jose Gonzalez' tender cover of Massive Attack's ‘Teardrop' (Peacefrog) 0000 . which helps cement his position as so much more than the 'bouncy-ball advert man‘.
On the subject of track records. how about a couple of old-stagers who have chosen this fortnight to build on their past glories? “Here Comes That Day' (W14) m by Slouxsle (of the Banshees fame) sounds rather gratifyingly like Amy Winehouse as produced by David Holmes. while ‘Kingdom' (Mute) 000 by Depeche Mode returnee Dave Oahan comes suitably swathed in industrial drama.
As much of a joy as it would be to give Single of the Fortnight to The Best Pop Group In The World Right Now. Super Furry Animals' ‘Runaway' (Rough Trade) one isn't quite as tremendous as Sons and Daughters' typically filthy ‘Gilt Complex‘ (Domino) 0000 . and nor does it feature a monolithic rockabilly cover of Adamski's ‘Killer' on the flip-side. Now that's pop music. (David Pollock)
substance it's an inward
druin machines. peeling
60 THE LIST 18 Oct-1 Nov 2007
'7‘t‘:r’..‘."l"7ll'l View I: e
i.'l(:'f,‘f; .rilttS ’1‘ -Ai'llt1'1 ll.
«"istltittiortaiise/t tit/AV ’1.
the nation's r about, relationship filth hcrie and, 'iaturall,. the inspiring pcsre' at least in these parts of ")l‘i‘.: squat A'rqentiiiean‘s .conic raised fist
It makes for a fine record: plaintive. but ‘- like Ballboys / Hate Scot/and. or anything ti" Arab Strap ~~ still able to find irreSistible romance in the glo<,)miest recesses Of the national character. Just don‘t expect it to prove popular down south. (Malcolm Jack)
ELLC TRONICA MAMMAL 7VWWVW (KFM) eeee
Eluswe Edinburgh foursome Mammal have been hrewrng this tasty stew of retro electronica for ages. but it‘s worth the wait. Like The Magnificents in a chill— out tent or Boards of Canada Jamming With Bob Moog. this mostly instrumental fare is a consummate and sumptuous trip through analogue synth heaven. like the soundtrack to the best hippy-trip 70s Space travel documentary you‘ve never seen.
Sweeping from delicate to Creepy to triumphant, 7VWWVW (turn your
magazine upside down).
bypasses the brain and goes straight to the heart. conjuring deep emotional resonance as it does. Beautiful music to soundtrack the beautiful moments in your life.
(Doug Johnstone)
INDIE POP REVEREND AND THE MAKERS The State of Things (Wall of Sound) 00
SO-Called by friends because he loves preaching. ‘Reverend‘ Jon McClure uses this debut collection to fuse workaday Brit-Culture musings With stomping indie dance beats. Throbbing. shouty and
@379 THE STATE OF THINGS
arr'»qa'it. there's a t tt Cass? wk. at.» a.” t the s w. lti' "()l'thtrllIttflt“; (kt tenor. Sheffield t‘.pes ixr tii‘ Monkeys. ‘.‘.ith ',fl‘.“y about put; bandits and
leccy bills It's riieant to be a SINK. funk battle cry but really. it fails to rouse Single ‘l le Said He 1 oxed Me. grates along .yith irritating Mockrlev chants troiii Laura Manuel. While 'Heawweiqht (Jhain; ll( )ll of the \Norld~ is catchy. but in an tlllfl()\lltt] lad rock anthem way
(Claire Savvers)
r Oik OLD BLIND DOGS
Four on the Floor (Vertical Records) 0..
Old Blind Dogs celebrated their l.‘>th anniversary With a concert in Findhorn in April that featured the current quartet With several former members. including Singers Ian F Ben/ie and Jim Malcolm. The latter's departure last year saw a shift away from a recognised main singer for the first time. a Significant factor in a band Where songs have always enjoyed at least equal prominence With instrumental music. Some may miss the
focus which a single lead VOice brings. but the band are more than adeQLiately served in the vocal department, With Jonny Hardie. ROry Campbell and Aaron Jones all Chipping in. The Vibrant instrumental sets are led by Hardie's fiddle and guitar work and Campbell's pipes and whistles. underpinned by JOnes' bouzouki and electric bass and Fraser Stones
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which was muted b‘, the
inclusion of a multifarious selei‘tir in of guests on his nous follow up .‘Jurrounrrrxr [3i .‘S/Ieniie. Now he has refocused his attention: and has been busy refining his instrumental palate. Bumping. sweeping and glitchinq With ebullient ease. Herren's music sWinqs With the fury of Public Liiemy. the uni>redictability ot Autechre and the melodic nous of Jose Gon/ale/
(Mark Robertson,
ART H( X 3K THE FIERY FURNACES Widow City (Thrill Jockey) O
This is pretty much even/thing thats Wrong With music. packaged in a relentless y tedious. overblown and self» important hour of aural torture. Much feted in cooler—than-thou indie circles. this New York; based brother sister duo are. intact. endlesst irritating, and
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The results are a mixed bag, and often sound closer ti) soundtrack music than anything else. As e.er. though. there is ','/il|‘:
excellent guitar .‘JUr'r or offer amid the lush orcne‘.trat:on'.. If you bought it first time. the bait in thi', reriiastered reissue I‘, a second CT) .‘JlTll fl‘fl: [)f‘fl/lhllbl/ llflf(:l‘:{1‘)(:’1(Ht/J“). UN at under 17 minutes long. it's not a huge inceriti/r; to part .‘xitli ,0 1 CASH agav
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