SOUND JUDGEMENT
THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED
FISCHERSPOONER – SIR
THE first three-quarters of this album – co-writen and produced by Ex-REM singer Michael Stipe – is more Depeche Mode than David Gahan and Martin Gore have been for a while. Sir is an exploration of middle-aged life as a gay man, all the hopes and regrets of a life not led and dreams not followed. It is a dark blend of melancholy wrapped up in a dirty 80s electro pop parcel.
For the dark lyrics, hope flickers through the balladesque Oh Rio (featuring Holly Miranda), and Try Again ft. Andy LeMaster is reminiscent of a slowed down Hot Chip mashed with an ambient dawn vibe. Fischerspooner have stayed true to what they were about in the late 90s, but have moved forwards lyrically and with more musicality.
MGMT – LITTLE DARK AGE
WITH elaborate jazz chords and funky bass, MGMT announce their return – and possible revival – on opening track She Works Out Too Much. After arriving with what became two of the Noughties’ biggest tracks, Kids and Time To Pretend, in 2008, the duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser failed to capitalise on their next two records.
But here they rediscover their ability to write pop hooks, from the synthheavy When You Die to the 80s celebration that is Me And Michael.
From a band who always appeared uneasy with their pop credentials this is a welcome return which maintains their darker underbelly – gloriously tinged with acid.
DUCKING PUNCHES – ALAMORT
ORIGINALLY the solo project of singer/ guitarist Dan Allen, this is Norwich alt-rock group Ducking Punches’s fourth studio album and it’s less folk rock and more old-school emo with perhaps a tinge of hardcore this time around.
The title Alamort is apparently an archaic term for being “half dead from exhaustion”; setting the tone for many of the tracks. Highlights are Distant Shadows, which draws you in with a haunting quality, and Sobriety, which deals with addictive personalities.
This record has similarities with London’s own melancholic punk band Apologies, I Have None. If you like alt-rock and heartfelt lyrics without a saccharine delivery this is worth a listen.