So I’ve been listening to a band called Radials. They’re based in London, but are headed up by the former frontwoman of Come On Gang!, so that makes them relevant to ourselves. Their debut four-track EP, out in February is streamed below. Continue reading
Weirdly enough I’ve thus far ignored Come On Gang! – not for any reason in particular, I’ve just been too lazy to check them out. This unprofessionalism lingers no more, because the clever clogs took matters into their own hands and sent yours truly an advance copy of their excellent debut album. Not heard of them, still? Think The Jessie Rose Trip, think Kid Canaveral. (This can serve as a caveat on all future reviews: if you want me to listen to your band, then don’t wait around for me to google you by chance, email me (dauphinmag@live.co.uk)).
And now, to Strike A Match – super strength, pure pop-fuelled high grade music. Opening with the anthemic Coffee Shop, it’s an extremely pleasing listen; mixing Ting Tings-esque catchyness and Magic Numbers’ ear for a riff, the band are a full-bodied indie pop blend. Diligent listeners will also notice the similarities with The Cribs on Red Thread, and the Two Door Cinema Club-reminiscent Wheels, though it’s condescending to compare such a good band with another: Sarah Tanat-Jones’ voice could easily go toe-to-toe with Florence Welch.
From the album as a whole, the standout tracks for me are the chirpy This Familiar Road, the punk swagger of Fan The Flame and the final track, Start The Sound. The band’s bio tells of a singular manifesto pledge: to play music you can dance to. I can’t remember the last time I heard an album from a Scottish band with this much energy, this much boundless excitement, and it’s very much a pity that this is the first and last album we’ll hear from them; I bet there’s even better stuff bouncing around their brains.
You can get the album from the 12th of February onwards from iTunes, etc – the launch gig, and the last chance to see Come On Gang! live will be the same night, at Pilrig St Paul’s Church, on Leith Walk.
Some media quotes:
"Brittle, incandescent power pop to crash small cars to: like Beth Orton fronting Television – utterly addictive." The List
"Come On Gang! are the kind of band that leads scenes rather than follow them – Top 20 bands to see at T in The Park." The Scotsman
"Unsigned Heroes – a future national anthem" BBC Radio One
“Come on Gang play joyous indie with singer Sarah owning an unusually out of place voice – an absolute pleasure to hear.” Huw Stephens
"ECA trio Come on Gang! boast quite the piece de resistance in drummer/vocalist Sarah Tanat Jones, whose sweetly rendered yet gymnastic turns add a genuine touch of ethereality to some admirably tight punk pop." The Skinny
Rating: DDDDD
