Reviews : New Album "Methods" by White Belt Yellow Tag, New Single "Deep Dive" by Wild Palms, "Rocket Song" by Turin Brakes
Ne Album "Methods" from White Belt Yellow Tag Out 5th April 2010
Three EP's in late 2009 and two recent singles ("Remains" and "Always and Echoes") have only served as mere appetisers for this confident and expansive offering, the debut album from White Belt Yellow Tag. A 3 piece headed by Justin Lockey, guitarist from the experimental Yourcodenameis:Milo, and also featuring the drummer from now defunct (thankfully - personal opinion!) Cooper Temple Clause. Drummer in question Tom Bellamy's contribution should not go without note as the album has a pleasing pounding rhythm all of it's own. Infact, their sweeping indie soundscapes are thoroughly pleasing in many ways. Many records claim to be but "Methods" truly is the "Sound Of The City". Confined but epic, bristling with life and opportunity. Reference points passed along the way include Doves, Elbow, and Bloc Party. But the pulsating centre piece "Where Echoes Land..... / Always and Echoes" pulsates, builds, and hooks you in. A centre piece that is entirely WBYT. Other highlights include the indie Muzak of "Ode", the should be future single "You Are Invincible", "So Try My Enemies" with it's one-two punch of organ and guitar clatter, and the mechanical beat of "News". In this release the members of WBYT have managed to take just the right ingredients from their seperate previous projects, whipping it into one of the best albums of the year so far. I really enjoyed this album. And being as this kinda thing isn't to this particular reviewers own personal taste, could it have higher praise?
"Deep Dive" by Wild Palms Out 19th April
According to Wikipedia, Wild Palms are a shortlived American TV show starring James Belluschi and the kid from Boy Meets World. A seemingly bizaare series to rival Twin Peaks. How pleased i was to find then that Wild Palms are actually a spirited new 3-piece with an exciting new single called "Deep Dive". Proof that Wikipedia doesn't know everything. But given this lively effort, with some 80's esque vocal wailing and a Vampire Weekend inspired guitar part, it can't be long before a Wild Palms disambiguation is in order. Throw a bit of Devo into the pot, a chugging bassline, shake, and serve. Hopefully there's more to come to match this top track. And, unlike the TV show, there's no dreaming of rhinoceroses! No, honestly, check it out for yourselves...
"Rocket Song" by Turin Brakes Out 10th May "This Love Is a Rocket Bound For The Stars". An evocative line from the new Turin Brakes single. A band that were bound for the stars themselves at one point but, following the play-it-safe Jackinabox and the brooding Dark On Fire albums, seemed to be falling short of some lofty early expectations. But new album Outbursts IS their BEST since their outstanding debut The Optimist LP. And this single, the 2nd from Outbursts, is breathing new life into the band. Olly Knights Lou Reed-esque vocals early doors give way to TB's warming twin acoustic sound. Fleshed out with a full band, of which TB have been very keen to thrust more to the forefront in recent years. This duo have always been masters of subtlety, and it seems they've finally found a way to invite others along for the ride without compromising what they do best, folk-tinged slightly-ethereal-sounding acoustic-indie mini-epics. Or something like that....!
