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merchandise - lo-tech solutions to hi-tech problems

 

interesting debut album from this duo (conrad and brad) with musical toys, who have a nice way with their samplers/guitar/drums and talent for simply structured pop songs.

most of these songs could be easily classed as lo-fi perhaps, but give the songs a little time and attention and you could find yourself drawn into the bands vibe.

the jazz drum groove opening of 'i hate that you're living' is an interesting start and sets the scene well as this flows well into the athlete-style melody strong chorus of 'beautiful morning for a bad day'. too damn catchy by half. next up is '14:53' a fine track, but this is just a run up to the fuzzed driving electropop of 'sunday song', with its wonderful interaction between the quirky real world instruments and simplistic dr rhythm beatbox noises - a personal fave. following this uptempo fun is the autumnal piano/vocal pleasantness, but fear not, the album does not descend into depression setting moods as the guys have a wicked sense of humour shown in the acoustic guitar strum for 'distil disappointment' with its barbed lyrics ('catapult your feeble words back at you'), processed beats, fuzzed guitar lines, excellent stuff.

even twisted romantic acoustic 80's pop gets a nod with 'for the shore' with sweet backing vocals recalling terry halls colourfield times - though i suspect brad and conrad have never heard of them! this is good stuff. as is the funked up instrumental 'albino rhino' sharply distorted guitar lines clash with glockenspiel type noises .. and thats always going to raise a smile in my house. lovely lovely.

the rest of the album passes by with all manner of nice sounds and sweet melodies, there are times that a little tighter production would iron out some of the vocal limitations that are apparent (especially on 'winter', 'charlie parker ..') but sometimes mistakes (read budget restrictions ?) make a track more natural appealing and the addition of the melodian on 'winter' wipes out these minor niggles, and as for the epic guitar part on charlie parker feel yourself gently drift into the 70's mor world.

all in all a fine album that will appeal to fans of ingo star cruiser, matt harding, m.craft, old school indie days pre-oasis creation releases, and the world of twisted nerve fans. followers of the darkness and grime and other scene-slaves need not apply. though i suspect merchandise care not. they have their own little world and seem quite content within it.

good luck to them.

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