The Purrs "The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together" (Big Damn Deal Music 2007)

Seattle new/old sound – The next big thing – They’ve got the songs!

Americana – difficult to define as a genre even more as a concept – go on try it in less than 250 words. Tough, eh. And into this debate comes The Purrs with their second album a big sounding reverb lashed noise that echoes the influences and then some. It is American music but is it Americana as we know it, Jim?
Probably not. They would fit more snugly into an alternative category with the chiming rhythms and nasal vocals, the nihilist lyrics and counter point harmonies.

But that would be a shame as there is much to enjoy here. Sure the spirit of laughing Lou and the Underground hang like a shroud over much of the proceedings but that’s no bad thing – no bad thing at all. Pete Perrett is called to mind as are the long lost Psychedelic Furs and even the Violent Femmes. Oddly the tracks the press release highlights are not the ones that immediately impress ‘Go Cindy Go’ and ‘You Don’t Look So Good’ for example.

If you like a sneered vocal and jangly shards of guitar with intelligent song writing to boot then this most definitely is where it’s at. The Purrs the next Green Day – could be, could be. You heard it here first.

Date review added:  Sunday, January 13, 2008
Reviewer:  keith hargreaves
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  band website