Sarandon “Kill Twee Pop” (Slumberland Records, 2008)

I love you Mr Disposable popstar

The title track sounds ridiculously like the Minutemen - the scratchy funk guitar, Watt’s thunderous bass spiel and some flexible George like drumming. It differs only in the vocals which get a bit closer to the tune than D Boon ever did. They don’t spend all there time in Pedro, but head towards influences close to home (they are British but this is released on a US label) Stump, Bogshed and they certainly can get A Witness, short sharp stiletto stabs of angularity - it jerks so spasmodically it makes Futureheads and their ilk seem like lazy lounge lizard Lotharios. It’s a strange mixture of the mordant humour of the English bands I’ve mentioned and the muscular musical punch of the Minutemen. The manifesto is to kill twee pop and rid the world of cardigan wearing fops, this is not a political record, there’s no righteous anger - what there is impeccable playing; they are tight, the classic trio as well drilled as the Red Arrows.

They are like a cloud of petrol vapour just waiting for the spark to ignite them. ‘Good Working Practice’ worries at you like a terrier with a slipper and unusually for them it has an almost tuneful guitar break in the middle which adds some contrast. I enjoy listening to this but then Double Nickel… remains one of my favourite records of all time. Anyone who takes D Boon & Co as a blueprint is a few points ahead in my book, only this is a book I’ve read many times before. ‘Mike’s Dollar’ and ‘Remember Mavis?’ are no Project Mersh but they do hint that they may be able to hotwire something more original. Still 12 songs in 26 minutes, itchy and scratchy guitars - give me this over fey singer songwriters trying to be Bob Dylan any day.

Date review added:  Monday, April 14, 2008
Reviewer:  David Cowling
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Susan beware of the devil