Pure Bathing Culture:
Moon Tides:
Memphis Industries:
Out Now:
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Now perhaps this is what we need during the summer months - a swooning synth-pop epic to relax and tantalize those ear-buds in equal measure. On Moon Tides, the debut-album from Oregon duo (and ex-Vetiver members) Pure Bathing Culture, your journey begins with the rather pretty Pendulum, the afore-mentioned triumph that is two parts Cocteau Twins shimmer, one part anything on Sarah Records, one part Go-Betweens' Streets Of Your Town and as gorgeous a tune as you could wish to dally with.
After such a fine start, Sarah and Daniel face something of a creative, but uphill, battle. Pretty much all of Moon Tides pulses along without much haste and is a pleasing blend of soft folky electro beats, Sarah's expressive drawl and melancholic melodies (for the most part) that neither excites or irritates - it's just there. Ask Pure Bathing Culture to maraud their way through a set of rock covers and you'd imagine they'd flee, arms aloft, seeking shelter in the arms of a loved one and finding solace listening to some English folk or Virginia Astley's entire canon.
Of course, I'm a bit of a sucker for the lighter side of life, but I do want a bit of, y'know, punch. Moon Tides sounds like one extended Christmas advert, albeit less twee. Scotty is sadly not a homage to the Star Trek Enterprise character, Seven To One doesn't hail the joys or pitfalls of gambling and the concluding Temple Of The Moon (no, really) exceeds expectations by sounding like Pur by (you've guessed it) the bleedin' Cocteau Twins. Dream The Dare sort of does the same - nice though.
Whereas similar label-mates Polica offer brutalist rhythms but a similar vocal delivery, PBC decline to hurry or holler, they merely trill their way through a satisfactory repertoire of luxuriant ambient pop without breaking sweat or changing tack - the sleeve sort of describes all. Moon Tides is just about the right side of must-buy. But only just.
Moon Tides:
Memphis Industries:
Out Now:
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
After such a fine start, Sarah and Daniel face something of a creative, but uphill, battle. Pretty much all of Moon Tides pulses along without much haste and is a pleasing blend of soft folky electro beats, Sarah's expressive drawl and melancholic melodies (for the most part) that neither excites or irritates - it's just there. Ask Pure Bathing Culture to maraud their way through a set of rock covers and you'd imagine they'd flee, arms aloft, seeking shelter in the arms of a loved one and finding solace listening to some English folk or Virginia Astley's entire canon.
Of course, I'm a bit of a sucker for the lighter side of life, but I do want a bit of, y'know, punch. Moon Tides sounds like one extended Christmas advert, albeit less twee. Scotty is sadly not a homage to the Star Trek Enterprise character, Seven To One doesn't hail the joys or pitfalls of gambling and the concluding Temple Of The Moon (no, really) exceeds expectations by sounding like Pur by (you've guessed it) the bleedin' Cocteau Twins. Dream The Dare sort of does the same - nice though.
Whereas similar label-mates Polica offer brutalist rhythms but a similar vocal delivery, PBC decline to hurry or holler, they merely trill their way through a satisfactory repertoire of luxuriant ambient pop without breaking sweat or changing tack - the sleeve sort of describes all. Moon Tides is just about the right side of must-buy. But only just.