Setting a formidable pace for the new year, Stolen Recordings are busy cementing their reputation as the art-rock label to beat in 2008. Let’s Wrestle’s limited EP ‘In Loving Memory Of’ might not eclipse label-mates Pete And The Pirates’ debut in terms of exposure - but it's an equal in terms of musical potential.
Single ‘I Won’t Lie To You’ invades the room like a drunk after closing time, clattering around shambolically for a couple of minutes before finding some other party to crash, albeit in a pleasing early Pavement-like style.
For many people, the clincher for Let’s Wrestle will be the bizarrely named WPG’s equally bizarre voice. One reviewer compared him to “an asthmatic Eddie Argos” - although for my money he pitches up somewhere between the slacker drawl of Julian Casablancas and a slurred, excitable Alan Partridge.
Mark E Smith is another good reference point, particularly in the disaffected lyrics, and occasionally the band come off as a less polished version of the excellent XX Teens, particularly in their shared slacker aesthetic.
The only disappointing aspect of the EP is the exclusion of some killer early tracks like ‘Let’s Wrestle’ itself and the hopeless poetics of ‘Quazar Blues’ (sample lyric: “We’re going to sniff some glue, then we’re going to piss on your car, nick your cash and go to Quazar”).
Expect to hear more from these guys as the year progresses, starting with their support slot for Pete And The Pirates at The Borderline, London later this month.
Best new band in Glasgow, by a mile!
...Any more snooker cliches?
...Second track sounds like a more snarly mid-60s Who. Excellent.
...First one sounds like Sean Ryder having a flashback but second track is a killer.
...once you've drunk a bottle of Maker's Mark in Copehagen?
...The more I watch it, the more I like it.
...Sex on Fire is good once you've drunk a bottle of Maker's Mark in Copenhagen
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DEMO OF THE WEEK:
THE FANCY DRESS PARTY
Rich: I think this band is the most exciting thing we've heard since we got here, including all the week's singles. It's recorded really well - obviously quite lo fi, but...
ARTROCKER: I saw you at The Old Blue Last this week, how good does it feel performing in London after being away for so long?
AKALA: I love it! I love performing anyway and being in my home town makes...
Editorial incompetence at artrocker.com meant that the wrong Grates track was post earlier.
...We've cooked up 60 minutes of premium ArtROCK, with the emphasis on the rawk.
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Untitled Musical Project - they pump you up like aural steriods. Untitled Musical Project go to 11.
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