THE NATURALS: ‘Concrete Sea’ / ‘Finishing Moves.’
You don’t impress the likes of Tom Robinson, Steve Lamaq and Huw Stephens by being just ‘very good.’ You don’t get to tour UK with likes of the Chapman Family by being merely ‘promising.’
However, no matter how hard I try, I personally can’t see my way past these two descriptions. I almost feel a bit guilty in saying this because I somehow feel that I should enjoy this double-A side single a lot more.
The accompanying Press Release states that this young Bristol four-piece employ an ‘intelligent use of sonics and overlapping arrangements’ to ‘provide the band with their own spin on classic indie sounds, creating something unique.’
But in doing so, I just feel that the sound becomes a little too cluttered in places. OK – the final minute and a half of ‘Finishing Moves’ takes the song headlong into a cacophony of noise and fuzzy feedback that works really well as it’s a sort of natural fit. However, elsewhere there is a distinct Eighties feel which is partially confused by the vocals at times seemingly taking on what reminds me of a dreaded ‘celtic folk’ refrain. For me, both songs kinda fail to get where they were initially headed – though I have to emphasise that this alone does not make it a bad record.
Far from it – it’s just that I’m left with a little sense of disappointment in that I feel THE NATURALS probably have more to offer.
And …… Tom, Steve and Huw all broadcast on national radio, whilst I write my own little music blog! (Make your own mind up!)
**WARNING! The following video features strobe lighting. **
(Released through Howling Owl Records on 2nd April 2012)
(7/10)
______________________________
