Kind of an odd one, this. I thought the EP was basically nice but harmless, and had a review sketched out in my head, but when I gave the record the final (virtual) spin before writing, I found I really liked some of it. Had I given myself pseudo-Stockholm Syndrome? Or was I confusing familiarity with enjoyment? Or had I just listened long enough to let the artistry seep through into my consciousness? Bit of all three, probably.
ALTO ALTO – ALTO ALTO (Self-release)
This EP pulls an enjoyable trick, sounding restrained and sinister yet also coming off as energetic and emotional. ‘Broken Fin’ opens the collection with a metronomic rhythm, wheedling lead guitar, and vocals that are somehow both an impassioned cry and a sneering playground chant (“I am running out of air”), giving a strong flavour of Psychedelic Furs, with an aftertaste of Echo & The Bunnymen. ‘Honeycomb’ also starts with everything under tight rein, building on a hobbled yet sprightly beat which might remind Oxford pop archivists of Spring Offensive, though it lets go a little more as the song progresses, ending with some insistent guitar riffing.
The rest of the EP doesn’t quite live up to this pairing, but ‘Mediterranean Sun’ and ‘Spanish Procession’ are still warmly winning melodic indie tunes, although the latter doesn’t have the fleetness of foot of the former, and the lyrics to both sound as though they were cribbed from a Hoseasons brochure. ‘Lift Your Heart’ is a suitably rousing/ not rousing finish, a discreetly churning guitar pop tune with long wafting lead lines like the work of an introspective British Wannadies. Despite this being a self-titled release, it feels as though Alto Alto never quite show their full hand, and the record is all the better for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment