Desperate Journalist are a North London quartet comprising of Jo Bevan (vocals) Simon Drowner (bass) Rob Hardy (guitar) and Caz Hellbent (drums.)
The band have now released their self-titled album after gaining attention with their well-received EP – Cristina.
We had a listen to the new album:
Opening track ‘Control’ smashes in grandly with some twirling guitars.
The musicality is performed with dexterity, smoothness and speed.
The main vocal (Jo Bevan ) adds a (welcome) yet quite different scale to things. Her voice has an absorbent quality, allowing pigments from the smart sound to be gently sponged out.
But it also has a foliose dimension too – sprouting out from the star-shaped angles created by guitar. This song is about ‘control’ types – whether they are managers, teachers, educators or even ex-friends. A gushing stream of visual images about the highlights of control.
‘O’ has amazing drum work and is a cradle-full of intricate and beautiful guitars.
Here, the voice is very reminiscent of Siouxsie Sioux. The same incredible range – high notes and expressions… The same kind of pointed ambivalence and prevaricating minimums.
The drama comes through large in this song… although the piece trots along mirthfully.
‘Cristina’ has chugging guitar strokes. Intricate patterns are formed continuously and these revolve around the art gloss bass-lows. This is a very neat composition. Filled with clever angles and aural surprises. A real theme-work.
Following on dutifully with their one-word track-titles ‘Hesitate’ is sharp and jagged. With vast slices of sour guitar and an exciting chorus.
‘Remainder’ has a cheerful rhythm that does not quite match the pain found in the vocals. But these bulk-up things perfectly. Slightly downward spiralling, this is still full of excited fun. Not unlike 1990’s Cranberries.
‘Heartbeats’ starts like an out-of-control music-box. Plinks, plonks, tings and malice found inside a steel-pin wooden heart. But this makes sense, this is, after all, cardial.
The guitar fuzz creates tension – and the angelic voice rises dangerously high. Eventually the surface tension reaches a climax. And the thing collapses in a buzz.
The album is completed with a gentle two-step. A ragged guitar accompanies the traditional melody – this rises and falls like a puppy hiding under a baby blanket. It is a very fine end to the album. Truly enjoyable.
Decorated with musical intention and a boasting voice that revolves around the axes of each song – accelerating, fall and rising, as each sentiment is carefully examined. This has all the flow and energy you could ever want. Subtle and crucial indie rock with enough electric charge to give you a jolt.
@neilmach 2014 ©
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