The Salisbury
psych-rockers are back with a single about recent hometown events.
Without wishing to make
light of the seriousness of dosing someone with Novichok, at the two
minute forty seconds into 'Russian Spy' there's a discordant guitar
break which attempts to render in musical form the disorientating
effects of the life-threatening nerve-agent. Undoubtedly safer than
imbibing, it highlights The Neighbourhood Strange's growing
confidence, as well as signalling the healthy state of modern
psychedelic rock. With a melody that draws from eastern European folk
and a brash swagger that's distinctly a “British-dudes-with-guitars”
thing, 'Russian Spy' is modern musical reportage at its finest, from
a band uniquely placed to commentate on such matters.
On the flipside of the
vinyl is 'Many Secrets', an equally enjoyable if more trad Brit-pop
affair; guitar-driven but with a big chorus. Vocalist Marcus Turner
turns in a performance that's both melodic and punkish, while the
band sound like they've mastered the art of ensemble playing,
countless gigs having helped gel and hone their collective sound.
If the two tracks on
the vinyl single aren't enough the CD version contains both 'Russian
Spy' and 'Many Secrets' along with an extra three tracks. 'Mary Mary'
has a neat quiet/loud dynamic and errs towards the band's West-Coast
garage rock side. 'Walk On Water' has a languid, rolling feel, with
plenty of space for organ runs and swells. 'Desert Sand' bookends
nicely with 'Russian Spy', it's a short instrumental interspersed
with occasional vocal shouts and encouragements. It too has a melodic
feel that comes from somewhere between Eastern Europe and the Silk
Road. Packed with plenty of surfy guitar, kind of like Dick Dale
meets the Arabian Knights.
If you want to catch
the band playing live, they have a hometown gig at the Market Square,
Salisbury on August 23rd. Or if you can't make it check
out this rather fine disc instead.
Click here for The Neighbourhood Strange's website.
Click here for The
Neighbourhood Strange on Facebook.
Click here for The
Neighbourhood Strange on Bandcamp.
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