querelle - mini-lp
6 tracks from querelle, a band who originate from italy, but are now based in north london. the band play indie rock that dips into shoegazing, sonc youth layers, and hook ridden creation styled pop songs. the gazers will love opener 'shanty town', a simple repetitive guitar riff is kicked off and maintained, over the 4.5 minutes extras are subtly layered and before you realise it we are into a full aural onslaught with jesus and marychain feedback. glorious stuff. the mood becomes a little darker and more tortured with 'sore' that recalls the whole of the grunge era, doom ridden lyrics and more feedback. luckily though there is a time and place for everything, and seeing as grunge has not been on my play list for a long time, this means the song is a welcome reminder of how good it can be if done right. of course the abundance of fuzzed up layers and feedback make this much more fun. gotta love that fuzzbox.
the tempo is dragged down to a snails pace with 'just a song' which does drag a little. luckily the next 'prick up you ears' moment is not too far away in the shape of the urgent nagging guitar line throughout the excellently titled 'insect-o-cutor'. straight to the roots of the passion of indie rock this track really kicks your senses into touch at the four minutes mark when all hell breaks loose following a great intense build up. 'little silly things' gets back to the effects pedals but doesn't really go anywhere that we haven't been before, but is cool enough.
so if there is anyone wanting a little more down to earth noise ridden muse-like guitars matched against old school 90's usa college rock, check out this fine opening debut.