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Single/Download Review
Various Artists 4x12” series, Volume 2
Article written by
Ged M - Aug 24, 2009
The first 12” release had one decent track out of four but the follow up release does much, much better. ‘It Gets Your Body Movin’ by Suckers is the standout, a tight ball of meditative psych-pop that gently scintillates against a background of murmuring guitar noise before it goes supernova. Produced by Armand Wilder of Yeasayer, there’s a touch of that band and Beirut but when the song is at its most expansive with its chorus of voices, it’s more like Fanfarlo and Arcade Fire. Leeds-based Holy State are the complete opposite, ‘Jagged Lines’ a voice-shredding example of riffs-aplenty indie punk. It has touches of Sonic Youth and the Jesus Lizard and a very satisfying hardness.
‘Rainbow In The Dark’ by Brooklyn art-rockers Das Racist is the low point, a parody of 90s rap that namechecks Joe Pesci, Jeff Mangum and Stephen Hawking and includes some smart rhymes (“we could eat Roquefort/ or kick it like Rockports”) but it’s too clever for the style its aping. Bear Driver (with former members of Crayon and Samsa) are another Leeds band. Their ‘Mind Attack’ is chemically altered pop music in a MGMT vein: a catchy record but chasing a wave that’s flowing by. This release is DTTR’s best for ages and will keep you listening, although it’s the first side that will sustain you the longest.