well, they are back.
having phil ward rants-raves featuring on the recent idc single, it’s a welcome return for the full lo fidelity allstars gang to the release schedule.
while most people will have recollections of the debut mash of noise, samples, and rock dance grooves that got a lot of attention and movie placements (especially the battleflag track), they actually mellowed and released a much more organic sounding second album, don’t be afraid of love, that saw them drop the sampledelica, and incorporate synths and drum machines many years before the current demand for all things 80s.
unfortunately the album dropped from view as it was quite a change in sonic direction, alienating many of the fans who were wanting more of the big beat audio chaos, however, in retrospect the album was worthy of a lot more love and attention as i would say it has stood the test of time a lot more than the debut.
thankfully, it seems that band are not yet ready to revive their big beat past glories, and continue with the love for 80s styled electro pop and radio hooks.
the sweeter than sweet harmonious vocals and synths, may just hit the spot better than last time. lead song, smash and grab world, is "pop" sounding, and very catchy with a few subtle stings in the tale (ie the use of such phrases as ‘my lungs are fucked’, and ‘looking through the stars on a fucked up night’) meaning that there is the all important radio version available to anyone interested.
non-album track, brand new friends, that comes with this release, is like some low brow version of sort of stuff that jim foetus‘s does when he’s in a jazz mood, incorporating gruffer than gruffer smokey vocals grumbling away, and a pounding piano new orleans styled funeral march of a rhythm. during which a bunch of mates from the pub pretend they are a chorus line in the background.
no wonder this didn’t hit the album playlist, as it is very different to anything else the band have released, and such a strange detour would probably detract from the flow of an album.
excellent hammond organ solo spot though.
welcome back.
more detail : here