single // Percussion Gun
Mute Records continue to mine the
unending seam of exciting new bands emerging from New York with
this licensing from six-piece band White Rabbits.
Taken from their forthcoming album It's Frightening, 'Percussion
Gun' is nothing short of thrilling. Beginning with some disconcerting
background laughter, the track opens up into huge pounding, almost
tribal drumming before some decidedly Cure-esque
bass and piano meld with grinding guitars and dystopian vocals;
only the harmonic 'woo-ooo's rescue this from abject negativity
of the likes of fellow New Yorker's Interpol. It's
structure is completely original and ends far too soon. I would
defy anyone not to have their attention grabbed by this song from
the moment the laughter stops.
'Foxhunting' is more subtle, though no less percussively
original compared to most bands, even those emerging from the Manhattan
– Brooklyn creative locus. The harmonic interplay between vocals
is here more evident throughout the song, while the piano motifs
which burbled away in the background on 'Percussion Gun' achieve
more orchestral grandiosity here.
The iTunes exclusive EP contains a live version
of 'Company I Keep' recorded in London. Beginning with shimmering
feedback, the track develops into a pulsing motorik groove, amply
demonstrating that the musical dexterity of this band is not simply
confined to the studio. Lead vocalist Stephen Patterson reminds
me of Wonderstuff's Miles Hunt here, while the
rest of the band cruise effortlessly between sonic alchemy and Real
Estate-style countrified alt. rock.
Li:
1. Percussion Gun
2. Foxhunting
3. Company I Keep (Live In London)
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