Darrin Lee's work on his Subjangle label is to be roundly applauded. His constant regular physical releases shine a light on the music that he and many others love. We are great friends and although our writing places don't always converge, we are a little louder, he a little gentler, when they do, it is for something exceptional and this is that.
Cincinatti's Chris Wales is usually more insular and contemplative, here, in trio mode, he reveals how great he is at Indie Guitar Pop. Landing somewhere early Teen age Fanclub (lazy comparison, I know I know and 80s IRS, this is basement Indie at its very very best.
Light Under Repair jangles a lot, as you might expect, both fast and slow, but the 6 songs are never just about that. 100 Cars To 100 Planes is built around a magnificent Cello arrangement from Kate Wakefield. The song weeps and broods, the melancholy almost bringing you to tears. There's an alternate version to close proceedings that sounds even bigger.
The Cost Of The Moon is delivered at a frantic pace, much louder than what surrounds it, very IRS, even a little Psych Pop in feel. Lost In The Underground is more C86, it jangles slowly and benefits latterly from Chris Kertis's Yamaha DX-7 and breaks out into something much bigger.
Both It's Been A Landline Kind Of Winter and particularly, The White Stars are a little more straight ahead and offer up the Jangle Pop that you know and love, but it is the departures from this that are the most intriguing. A cracking listen. More Hamlet please!
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on CD and as a download.
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