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MAGIC MARKER RECORDS PO Box 9342 Portland, OR 97207 | |
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The Bats At The National Grid "Bells" [MP3]
1. Western Isles |
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A-
during their respite, an import-only greatest hits package
flawlessly bundled the bats' indispensable highs. improbably, at the
national grid holds up as a fitting companion piece.
the bats at the national grid is a bit of a shock, not because of
any major musical changes (the band's jangling purr remains intact),
but because it sounds oddly contemporary—the kind of docile rock
that would make sub pop's post-shins a&r team slobber. on tranquil
acoustic numbers "bells" and "western isles," robert scott and kaye
woodward's voices fasten together beautifully, practically strumming
the guitars for them; but when at the national grid turns frantic
(as on "horizon," the record's best track), those same vocals turn
defiant, backed by increasingly ramshackle fuzz-guitar asides. that
the bats can churn out such an alternately haunting and heartfelt
collection in their 23rd year is a testament to their indefatigable
skills
The bats' first album in ten years starts off perfectly with the
low-key "western isles," with robert scott and kaye woodward singing
delicate harmonies while the guitars gently hum behind them. it is a
lovely welcome back, and not only do they pick up where they left
off, at the national grid may be their best album since daddy's
highway. if you know your new zealand pop or college rock history,
that's really saying something. that record was a masterpiece of
understated emotion that sounded completely unique and true. this
record is lighter in tone, more cleanly recorded, and almost as
powerful.
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for mail orders: magic marker records po box 9342 portland, OR 97207 make checks payable to mark rothkopf
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