 How to you like your pop music? Over-easy? Full of dancing naked girls? Folk who can't sing but look good in pants? How about whiny miserable blokes in tweed? Hmmm... it's hard to pin down isn't it, but here's one for you to contemplate how would like your pop to be about stalking and sexing and the deeds of the night? Sounds good doesn't it, well look no further than Edinburgh's synth-indie-pop stalking five-piece Cancel The Astronauts.
Now I can't prove that the tales in these songs are true as I've never actually caught any of CTA raiding my bins or tapping my calls but then I don't believe they would have too much of a physical interest in me but judging by the EP's title track you never can be too sure. Now yes I know 'I Am The President Of Your Fanclub (And Last Night I Followed You Home)' is a ridiculously long title but isn't that the genius of it and of course the lyrics are pure cheeky brilliance for example "Look through your window and don't think I don't know that last night you weren't alone / Who was he? / Oh well I don't know / Will he be here tomorrow? / I don't think so" yes we are talking possible murder here folks at the very least some maiming. It's this sort lyrical nous coupled with the incessant catchiness that has made CTA a fixture of Edinburgh's burgeoning music scene.
'Country Song' mines the more MOR route of 80's synth-pop which at times can be a little cringe worthy but it's an honest attempt at just delivering a sound that CTA do well and this is very much the case for 'Late In The City' where the sound is tight yet the track lacks a certain sparkle that would just tip it over the edge, more oommpphh necessary lads. 'Love Somebody' makes a playful stab at upping the tempo and again sticks rigorously to the template set out of 80's synth indie-pop but again just fails to live up to the potential of the opening track but thankfully this is all about to come to an end as the final track 'Let's Go Expo' is a much more alert and provocative track that unleashes the potential that is here, reeling in the incessant synth tones to create a more brooding and foreboding atmosphere. Again the lyrics play a much stronger part in making this track come across "This room is gonna be the death of me / desperately searching for somebody to pleasure me / secretly wishing somebody would treasure me / hand back the glass and pour a double measure for me" as the deathly march strikes up and the track goes into overdrive. Listening to 'Let's Go Expo' it's hard not picture the letching and loneliness that reeks in nightclubs up and down the land.
So a mixed bag with maybe a little extra filler but the title track and the finale showcase the style and ability that Cancel The Astronauts possess but it's also clear that they are having fun with what they do and aren't looking to be taken too seriously as the middle section shows, and to be honest if you don't like them they may very well hunt you down and watch and wait for the perfect opportunity to strike back at you by potentially painting your dog fluorescent pink as punishment (if you don't have a dog please replace with other pet, child, car, house, toaster, water-bed etc.)
Track-listing:
1. I Am The President Of Your Fanclub (And Last Night I Followed You Home)
2. Country Song
3. Late In The City
4. Love Somebody
5. Let's Go Expo
Cancel The Astronauts
Cancel The Astronauts on MySpace Music
Last edited by mark191082 : May 17, 2009 at 01:53 PM.
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| | | | Overall Rating | | 6 | | Vocals / Lyrics | | 7 | | Musicianship | | 6 | | Production | | 6 | | Creativity | | 5 | | Lastability | | 5 | | Reviewers Tilt | | 7 |
60% | |
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Astronauts' second spacewalk
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Cancel The Astronauts - I Am The President Of Your Fanclub (EP)
