Psychedelic

The Vinyl’s - The Hope – 06/09/2008

The Vinyl’s are a fairly recent addition to Brighton’s music scene, but they are also proving to be one of the most impressive– transmitting their soulful sonics, through the two pronged attack of Mat Macneil and Dan Yates.

There’s an excellent grasp of melody in the air – particularly in the blissful Lemonhead(y) harmonies of ‘We’re so Strong’, which is actually played twice in the set – this makes sense, it’s a good song, so why not play it once more?

However these guys are no submissive slaves to melody, and a classic, raw, bluesy soulfulness is abundant, conveyed by the extraordinary, gravel of Dans voice, which belies the fact that the band originate from the South of England, rather than the Deep South.

There’s a copious amount of rebellious energy here too - spasmodic episodes frequently erupt from the musical depths. Such movements can often be contrived and annoying, but here it seems genuine, looks real, and conventional jerk patterns are not followed.

The only real negative is a slight suspicion which develops. Have these guys sold their souls to some abyssal being, or even Satan himself at the Crossroads, am I about to be deviously coerced into a voodoo sacrifice by members of the band. Are these guys actually from Louisiana - having faked their own deaths like that Canoe man from Weymouth. He ended up in prison.

I’m looking forward to hearing the new songs…

Support comes from Sara Thor and On Safari – the former, sings songs of beauty through icy Scandinavian cool, but she’s now moved to Paris. Merde!

The latter blast Mark-E-Smith inspired rants over steady, menacing waves of song. There’s a particularly nice scream about sailing to heaven on a rickety boat. I like it a lot.

All considered; a very promising evening of musical entertainment.

www.myspace.com/now4thevinyls

© 2008 Brighton Sound.