Peggy Sue : Fossils And Other Phantoms
Released: 5th April 2010
Label: Wichita Recordings
Peggy Sue, somehow this review is actually my first time hearing them despite having, seemingly, everyone else in the world heaping praise upon them across the board. I suppose one could argue they have quite a lot to live up to, but why get ahead of ourselves.
Opening up with ‘Long Division Blues', my mind immediately jumps to comparisons with Lulu & The Lampshades but I think that is merely down to the inclusion of multiple female vocalists harmonising over each other. This bands blend of indie and folk is markedly different from Lulu’s defined, perhaps, by a sense of grandiose and ambition in contrast to Lulu and co’s more eccentric, DIY and heart-warming take on it. This is meant for the big stage.
'Yo Mama', musically at least, has an air of Jeffrey Lewis about it although given the time and the place perhaps we should be referencing the rather ace Tristram instead? Regardless, here a plucked guitar riff is built and expanded upon, crescendo-ing throughout. The fact that it never breaks shows a sense of maturity and restraint in their song writing ability, which will only ever serve them well. 'I read It In The Paper' takes a slightly more traditional route in regard to song stucture. Opening with a quiet strummed riff and a quaint melody, which could be an effect laden humming or, well… something else. I honestly can’t tell. It does, however give way to a gentle vocal before the drums kick in and we are led on a merry dance to a casual and fitting little brass solo.
'Green Grow In The Rushes' is a straight up acoustic piece, serving as a brief pause before 'Watchmen' resumes service. A slightly darker sounding track, this that could have sat nicely on the soundtrack of the graphic novel-to-big screen adaptation by the same name. 'She Called' plays out in the same vein whilst taking a slower, more considered approach marked by quiet but rigorous drumming reminiscent of the opening to 'The End' by The Doors pinning together the measured intensity of the guitar and vocals. 'Careless Talk Costs Lives', contrary to 'Long division Blues' could have easily been written with Lulu (of Lampshades fame). Not, of course that this is bad thing, more a tediously journalistic way of saying it’s a lovely indie-folk tune.
‘The Remainder' puts strings to use to lovely effect and decidedly on the folky side of things, while ’Matilda' rises gently out of its ashes as another little nugget of folk gold before drums and guitars burst through the door and carry it out in a sea of controlled chaos. 'February Snow' is something a little different again, with it’s more upbeat rhythm and melodies accentuated by a fantastic little time change in the middle.
'Fossils' in itself takes one on a small roller coaster, easing you into false senses of security before threatening to collapse in on itself in a sea of pounding drums before easing back into its stride. Then, all a sudden, a huge military-esque pounding rhythm hits you. Closer, 'The Shape We Made' is simple, short an distinctly indie, but a singularly delightful piece none the less and finishes off the record in fine style.
As it stands then, this is a good album, perhaps even a very good album. It is, however, quite a deep and slow burning record that will reward repeated listens, which is exactly what I shall be giving it. Sadly though, due to the plethora of hype around it, I have left the first few listens feeling slightly underwhelmed which saddens me slightly though this shouldn’t take away from the fact that it is a good album and will, I expect, be in various “best of” lists come the close of 2010.
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Reply #2 on : Fri March 30, 2012, 07:50:37
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Reply #3 on : Sun April 01, 2012, 07:07:20