Gypsy & the Cat - Gilgamesh
firstly a quick apology for being so infrequent with my reviews - I've been trying to rank all of my older material rather than new stuff lately, and my internet being cut didn't help. But life goes on.
Strange band name. Strange album title. I discovered these courtesy of a friend who'd spotted them on an NME 'oooh nudge nudge watch out for them in 2011' feature, and rather liked what I heard. However, until recently I was unaware their album was released late 2010.
However, the hype appears to be catching up with them. At time of writing they're Popjustice's Song of the Day (not always a coveted title), free iTunes single of the week and were nominated for a J Award (the Australian equivalent of a Brit for Best Album, I suppose). They've since moved base and followed a rather long recent string of Australasian electronic/indie acts - Empire of the Sun, The Naked and Famous, Sneaky Sound System to name a few.
But enough of their cohorts. Let's listen to some music.
'Time to Wander' immediately gives off MGMT vibes due to the vocal style. The music itself is pitched perfectly at today's music scene: combining heavy drumbeats with cute, hook-laden electronic synths - with unusual distortion and a pleasant chorus to rope you in. 'The Piper's Song', the aforementioned free iTunes single of the week, is even better. More poppy than its predecessor, an infectious chorus to rival MGMT's 'Electric Feel' (I'm afraid MGMT are going to crop up here a lot) and also evoking some folk vibes.
'Jona Vark' immediately pleases me for having such an audacious title; the track itself is very Scissor Sisters with its luring falsettos and anthemic quality. There's a slight lack of variety to give it direction but it's the skeleton of a great pop song. 'Gilgamesh' for some reason reminds me of the Pretenders' 'Brass in Pocket'...probably a chord progression or something. The rhythm is gripping and makes for one of the highlights.
'Sight of a Tear' has much more trance-like qualities to it, potentially setting this duo up for a glorious summer (and with its sheer infectiousness it could easily be a festival highlight), whilst 'Human Desire' bounces soothing guitars and moody synths together seamlessly to provide one of the more unusual yet exciting tracks.
'Parallel Universe' reiterates their pop marketability and whilst somewhat weaker than its surroundings cements things and throws out Empire of the Sun tinges. 'Breakaway' does what it says from the dream sequences and haziness to provide a more vulnerable and Gary Numan-like atmospherics. 'Watching Me, Watching You' is vocally the most reminiscent of EotS and is a pastiche to so many 80s artists (Yazoo, The Human League, a heavy U2 presence) that it's slightly predictable, but makes for an endearing experience.
'Running Romeo' is relatively unremarkable, but closer 'A Perfect 2' sticks out like a sore thumb. The vocals are suddenly 70s, guitars are sweet and acoustic, and a gentle synth helps the track, and album, peak into something quite blissful.
It's always difficult to rate an album that reminds you of so many other artists - but what should be made clear is that Gypsy and the Cat are as good as, if not better than, their contemporaries. MGMT appear to be waning, Empire of the Sun are out of the way momentarily and the timing is potentially perfect. Just...don't hold me to that. The consistency and exploration, not to mention the relaxed euphoric tone of the piece, make it a very solid album indeed.
Rating: 7/10
Highlights: Gilgamesh, The Piper's Song, Human Desire, A Perfect 2, Sight of a Tear
Avoid: Running Romeo
Strange band name. Strange album title. I discovered these courtesy of a friend who'd spotted them on an NME 'oooh nudge nudge watch out for them in 2011' feature, and rather liked what I heard. However, until recently I was unaware their album was released late 2010.
However, the hype appears to be catching up with them. At time of writing they're Popjustice's Song of the Day (not always a coveted title), free iTunes single of the week and were nominated for a J Award (the Australian equivalent of a Brit for Best Album, I suppose). They've since moved base and followed a rather long recent string of Australasian electronic/indie acts - Empire of the Sun, The Naked and Famous, Sneaky Sound System to name a few.
But enough of their cohorts. Let's listen to some music.
'Time to Wander' immediately gives off MGMT vibes due to the vocal style. The music itself is pitched perfectly at today's music scene: combining heavy drumbeats with cute, hook-laden electronic synths - with unusual distortion and a pleasant chorus to rope you in. 'The Piper's Song', the aforementioned free iTunes single of the week, is even better. More poppy than its predecessor, an infectious chorus to rival MGMT's 'Electric Feel' (I'm afraid MGMT are going to crop up here a lot) and also evoking some folk vibes.
'Jona Vark' immediately pleases me for having such an audacious title; the track itself is very Scissor Sisters with its luring falsettos and anthemic quality. There's a slight lack of variety to give it direction but it's the skeleton of a great pop song. 'Gilgamesh' for some reason reminds me of the Pretenders' 'Brass in Pocket'...probably a chord progression or something. The rhythm is gripping and makes for one of the highlights.
'Sight of a Tear' has much more trance-like qualities to it, potentially setting this duo up for a glorious summer (and with its sheer infectiousness it could easily be a festival highlight), whilst 'Human Desire' bounces soothing guitars and moody synths together seamlessly to provide one of the more unusual yet exciting tracks.
'Parallel Universe' reiterates their pop marketability and whilst somewhat weaker than its surroundings cements things and throws out Empire of the Sun tinges. 'Breakaway' does what it says from the dream sequences and haziness to provide a more vulnerable and Gary Numan-like atmospherics. 'Watching Me, Watching You' is vocally the most reminiscent of EotS and is a pastiche to so many 80s artists (Yazoo, The Human League, a heavy U2 presence) that it's slightly predictable, but makes for an endearing experience.
'Running Romeo' is relatively unremarkable, but closer 'A Perfect 2' sticks out like a sore thumb. The vocals are suddenly 70s, guitars are sweet and acoustic, and a gentle synth helps the track, and album, peak into something quite blissful.
It's always difficult to rate an album that reminds you of so many other artists - but what should be made clear is that Gypsy and the Cat are as good as, if not better than, their contemporaries. MGMT appear to be waning, Empire of the Sun are out of the way momentarily and the timing is potentially perfect. Just...don't hold me to that. The consistency and exploration, not to mention the relaxed euphoric tone of the piece, make it a very solid album indeed.
Rating: 7/10
Highlights: Gilgamesh, The Piper's Song, Human Desire, A Perfect 2, Sight of a Tear
Avoid: Running Romeo
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