EP REVIEW
The Slytones are a bit of a mystery on first listen. The EP on show here The Psychedelic Sounds Of asks the question “Is this an audio mess of influences? Or simply a well orchestrated racket?” The songs show influences from bands such as The Sonics, The Stooges and even The Mothers of Invention. Although they probably won’t thank me I can also hear The Zutons buried in the mix. Vocals range from full on Sky Saxon howlin’ blues to more introspective Syd Barrett territories although this is an area that brings some of the more interesting results from the band and that separates them from the other similar “psych” bands out there.
The songs are the meat of the matter and the point of this review and I can say that although fun and listenable there seems to be a lack of sincerity in any of the final results, almost the equivalent of running your Jaguar on cherry cola. The track’s start with ‘Goldie Locks’ which is probably the strongest track here and one that will easily crossover into the mainstream play lists and for what it is (a cool fuzz-tone 60’s era acid rock and roll song) ticks all the boxes and doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Other songs here mix various styles/genres although with awkward time signatures included would probably cause back sprains and twisted ankles from the dance floor if you tried to drop one of them in a set while dj’ing. ‘This Female for Retail’ with it’s Amy Winehouse name drop and refrain perks up the listeners ears but I would say it’s mainly just because of the novelty value of the song rather than any actual 5 star status of the music. Throughout the songs the music playing and execution is actually very high with intricate percussion and spidery guitar melodies with the Doors like keys and organs threading it all together and presenting it as a good catalyst for the crooning vocals. The Slytones will be no doubt touring this record in the up coming summer months and I for one will be checking them out in the live setting as the precise and restrained play here leads me to believe that like race horses stuck in the paddocks their inner freak flag is begging to be let out.
Label: The Slytones
Release date: 29/04/11
Link: http://www.myspace.com/slytones
'originally posted on 405'
No comments:
Post a Comment