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Angular Recording Corporation (or ARC) not so much have their finger on the pulse, more it’s their pulse being felt by the sticky fingers of the music industry. The growing South London label has already put out records by the likes of The Violets, Klaxons, The Long Blondes, Bloc Party and Art Brut. And as I’m sure you are aware, this is not a record (no pun intended) to be sniffed at.
Southend’s These New Puritans have kept those people with their ear to the underground dribbling for some time now. Last years ‘Numbers and Colours’ on ARC was a short stabbing blast of bleak yet sharp riffing and melody. A worthy mention of their 15 min track for Dior Homme last year is also needed.
‘Elvis’ continues the theme, the heavy and beguiling bass notes force themselves in and are punctured by Jack Barnett’s nonchalant yet fierce vocals as he cries “now, we are being watched by experts, and what will happen next, we are the clues”.
These New Puritans are creating a dystopian world where they are the beating nucleus, barking “I’ll tell you my secrets, I try and blurt it our, but I can’t find the words” their sound sits somewhere between the The Fall’s fractured beauty with the industrial desolateness of Public Image Ltd and with added synthesizer buzzing around it creates a menacing and claustrophobic envelope of sound.
Much as been said of the decaying state of British music over the past year, if you believe this to be the case, you are looking entirely the wrong places. The charts are the breeding ground for the characterless and imitation whereas the every little side-street pub and bar are putting on the incredible wealth of talent across the country. Some may never have a recording see the light of day, but the ones that do are worth digging out.
You may not have heard of These New Puritans as there has been no large publicity campaign, TNP are selective, they will be doing what they please and when. Most importantly they are the real thing.
January 28th saw the release of their debut album ‘Beat Pyramid’. My advice is that you will need this album.
Reviewed by Lee Puddefoot
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Wednesday 19th March 2008
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