It is wonderful to have Creative Writing back after their January 7 Track Cassette release, True 90s. The band name is particularly apt for the US quartet because this is incredibly Inventive Indie, a little 80s in feel, but akin to the likes of IRS, not the 80s keyboard overload that you imagine anyone compared to that decade is.
A band that could be described as a Supergroup due to the members time in respected Indie bands. It is also fair to mention that they are ideally suited to Alvaro Lisson's excellent Madrid label, Merritorio Records.
There is a lot of variety here and the band are not afraid to Jangle, but that Jangle is darker, more insular, a little Garage, yet with a feel of Guided By Voices. They do remind me of Game Theory at times and I can give them no higher compliment.
Songs are built on riffs, memorable moody riffs, but the ones on the likes of Power Pop. They grab you in an hypnotic way and instrumentally is where the album grabs you. These are almost soundscapes, melodic, but gripping. The playing is so damn great.
It is an album to be played from start to finish showing how limited playlists can be. But there are personal standouts for me. Memory Light is more than a little heavier Dropkick or early Teenage Fanclub, fantastic Jangle Pop with a hint of the West Coast. Can't Thank You Enough even has a touch of Americana.
Just Woke Up is wonderfully dark and meandering and You may have heard Slice & Dice, a fine mix of Post Punk and UK Beat. But the best may have been saved till last. Rain approaches 8 minutes in length and is probably the best Psych Pop that you will hear all year.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl or as a download. The Vinyl is dispatched from Madrid and Portland.
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