Like the Lightning Seeds, Electronic have the knack of writing perfect immediate pop and
'Forbidden City' is another classic. Instantly recognisable due to Sumner's vocals and
Marr's companion guitar, this lodges into your brain the same way 'Get The Message' did.
Seriously, Electronic make some bands' attempts at music of this genre look pitiful: if
there was a school for alternative pop music, Electronic would be the principals. Faultless, in my opinion.
The b-sides, 'Imitation of Life' and 'A New Religion' are also prime slices of addictive
and well-written bubblegum.
Rating: 10/10
The Rest
I saw this crowd supporting the Manics recently and was impressed with their complete
originality: off-the-wall without being 'wacky'; quirky without being irritating.
'Lucy's Hamper', the first track on offer here is typical. Bizarre lyrics, predominent
keyboard and vocals that frequently touch falsetto notes. Probably not everyone's taste,
but certainly mine. 'Heart of Kentucky', on the other hand, starts off as almost straight
country, complete with fiddle - but you can hear tongues nestling in cheeks at the same
time. It then transforms into a strange moog soundscape...much more familiar Gorky's
territory, as are the other two tracks on this EP. Very refreshing, and a reminder of
what real independent music is all about.
Rating: 9/10
A million kids are going to make 'Oh Yeah' 'their song' this summer - which is
100% correct and exactly what should happen. This song (with frankly at times
excrutiatingly-sung vocals) deals with summer first love in a pretty non-syrupy way -
despite actually containing the lyrics 'kisses sweeter than wine' - and has a killer
tune. Deserves to do well for Ash, and should see them back in the top 10. 'T-Rex'
on the b-side is a diferent kind of summer song - more in the style of the Undertones -
and just as effective. And the punk karaoke 'Does Your Mother Know' is a good laugh too.
Rating: 8/10
I know they're not trendy (so little Amercian music seems to be these days), but the US
'new punk' bands appeal to me. Probably partly due to their non-seriousness and
immediate disposability, bands such as Rancid, Offspring and Green Day don't fit in to
today's Britpop obsessed climate where it's alright to be retro, but not to the late 70s.
This track (on 'limited edition brain-shaped CD!') is a good no-nonsense punkfest,
with stop-start guitars, crashing drums and whiney vocals. The other tracks are similar -
Green Day songs always are - but have the same energy and conviction.
Rating: 7/10
Sounding like the sort of music that got put out on Creation in the late 80s
(Ride, House of Love, My Bloody Valentine, etc) crossed with the latter-era psychedelic
Beatles, this is an impressive track from Kula Shaker. Again different from the norm,
'Tattva' uses fuzz guitar and distortion pedals to great effect, making a good but not
essential single. 'Dance In Your Shadow' sounds even more like The Beatles, stealing
the tune from 'Norwegian Wood', with other backing track 'Moonshine' being forgettable.
Rating: 7/10
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