Elusive Parallelograms "And Everything Changes" (Independent 2008)

Chicago five piece that like to play loud and fast

There is the whiff of new wave about this lot. A sense of a different time. A feel of the past being bypassed as the future makes its move. This is Americana but not of the dusty road and the troubadour nor of the Byrdsian harmonies and the hippy ideal.

This is young and dumb and full of come as it spurts out of the speakers with its arrogance on its sleeve and its influences held high. PR notes speak of hating being categorised but its all here – The Strokes, The Mission, Ride, Siouxse Sioux , Devo and even The Turtles and early Fleetwood Mac.

It’s a great noise, tracks such as ‘Lilt’ have their roots in the past but absolutely speak for now. The title track doffs its cap at the Woodstock sound, ‘hang those who speak of the West’ has an extraordinary Hammond and synth combination that seduces until crushed by the Exploited thrash of ‘Destroyer’
‘Coagulated’ then redresses the balance with a pastoral Rain Parade ballad that recalls all of the heroes and still leaves room for new ones.

It appears these guys are serious – they hate to be categorised, they play what they want. That’s confusing for most. Take a chance. Change the name and fortunes may well improve - it's a bitch to type!!

Date review added:  Sunday, March 08, 2009
Reviewer:  keith lovejoy
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