Brighton label, So Darn So’s double-headed single and tour tie-in, features two heavily hyped bands. Both hailed as highly original and evocative indie-pop darlings.
Dalston unit, A.Human, seem to have attracted a host of gushing praise for their past releases, and lively stage shows. Here they showcase an example of their latest fare, recorded at a haunted mansion in Yorkshire. ‘Take Me Home’ is a heart-beating decleration that borrows and bends the sound of Talking Heads, ELO and Orange Juice to produce a succinct dose of lovelorn electro-pop that comes across like a far edgier and reverent version of Alphabeat – especially when the boy/girl swooning chorus comes in.
Sharing the top-billing is the 5-piece, fellow, London based La Shark. They use a far more forceful style, bedecked with a scornful John Lydon spit and ‘Once In A Lifetime’ proto Byrne delivery, on their unraveled tale of deciet, ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’. A squelching and burping backing and swelling eerie Bowie-esque ‘Cat People’ synth makes room for the choruses woodblock exotic bombastic pop allusions, on this 80s throwback.
Quirky and somewhat promising, both groups share the awkard, but lushly and textured theatrical, pop spirit. A.Human just about have the edge over their label mates.
[Rating: 3]
21/03/2011
[Rating: 3]
