Larsen B's four track EP has an air of openness about it - rolling
hills, green fields and blackberry bushes. The inspiration of
a life growing up in a rural Hertfordshire village has obviously
rubbed off. It has that country feel, without being remotely country'
- a Grandaddy or one of the ever popular Swedish groups taking
over the world at the moment.
Its warmth is a far cry from the chilly landscape where the band's
name is taken - a section of an Antarctic ice shelf once given
a mention by British Sea Power (maybe it was BSP and not the icy
landscape that was the inspiration - who knows?). Whatever. Si,
Paddy and Bagz took to a 16th Century barn to create this cheery
collection.
Opener Marilyn is a snappy and melodic number, with a beautifully
simple chorus rich in harmonies. Its military drums and twee guitar
- a sound that could become boring with so many musicians following
suit, but not just yet - add an exciting foundation to the sweetness.
And the juicy, thick vocals continue in Year of the Rat, with
its slight west coast feel and tinge of far eastern lands.
There's a change of pace with the Kinks-soundalike If I Know
You. At just one minute one second long, it's like the Ringo track
- slightly out of place, a complete change of pace, a different
sound altogether, but one you appreciate nonetheless. Images of
far away lands return for final track Tailgate. Its repetitious
melody trots on, building until ramshackle drums pick up the pace,
turning the sound much more epic. The rolling hills have grown
into mountains and the idyllic English village seems a thousand
miles away. It's enjoyable, pretty, soothing and engulfing, although
not unique.
Marilyn makes me want to hear more. With bands such as the Ruby
Suns, Caribou and Loney Dear making waves, or at least ripples,
with a similar, if not more inventive, sound, it will be interesting
to see what this trio can do with a whole album's worth of material.
- Gemma Hampson
www.musicomh.com
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