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Album Review

The Indelicates
American Demo Weekender

Article written by Paul M - Mar 16, 2008

A five piece in name but essentially the brainchild of two poets, Simon and Julia, the Indelicates are a breed apart from most of the current crop of bands. Purveyors of clever semi orchestral pop that’s part show tune and part twisted folk they use the music to project their poetry beyond the confines of a few fops in berets and cravats. In their mid twenties but middle aged before their time, the targets of their ire are many but chiefly focus on the actions and dreams of their own generation. From pointless misguided aspirations (We Hate The Kids) and vacuous scenesters (Sixteen) to drug dependency (just about all the songs), it’s political and bitter but never depressing.

Aided by a polished production by Brian O’Shaughnessy there’s an epic quality to the album. Full of great hooks and stirring melodies, it switches between the sweet (particularly the songs where Julia’s vocals are accompanied by simple piano) and tubthumping but remains just the right side of melodramatic, narrowly avoiding the traps marked Lloyd-Webber, Dresden Dolls and, lawks, Meatloaf. It’s noticeable that Luke Haines is a ‘friend’ on Myspace as I imagine he’d approve heartily. The cover has Simon and Julia stood the other side of a roughly painted line. Whether the metaphor is that they’re drawing or crossing the line isn’t clear but, whatever, there’s no question few will straddle it; you’ll either love them or loathe them. Whichever, you’ll have an opinion. Mine is that if you want your music to be intelligent, provocative and yet still catchy, then it really doesn’t get much better than this.

Links:
http://www.indelicates.com/