Keel Her:
Final Repose:
Critical Heights:
New album in 2014:
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Slotting in very nicely with label Critical Heights' off-the-wall roster is London songwriter Rose Keeler-Schaffeler and pals who mine a typically lo-fi seam. On this freebie demo sampler, initially given away at the Independent Label Market in 2013, there are elements of Kurt Vile, Moon Duo, label-mates Savaging Spires and Patti Smith on acid, as well as Rose's off-kilter psychedelic slant on life.
Highlights include the unassuming but melodic Boner Hit, the scratchy single-contender Steve Holt and the demo mix of 'actual' single Don't Look At Me, none of which would win awards for production but might win over the next generation of converts of minimal strum-jangle. I seem to remember similar cacophonies being emitted in the '90s by the usually-ethereal (ugh, dull word) 4AD label on releases by That Dog and Kendra Smith - but this is better.
Anyway, whether an entire album proper of roughly recorded surf-pop will work remains to be seen but if included b-side You Would Be So Grossed Out If I Did That or fuzzy wig-out JR are anything to go by, I'll be poised to give it a try.
For more Keel Her info, try Critical Heights
Final Repose:
Critical Heights:
New album in 2014:
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Highlights include the unassuming but melodic Boner Hit, the scratchy single-contender Steve Holt and the demo mix of 'actual' single Don't Look At Me, none of which would win awards for production but might win over the next generation of converts of minimal strum-jangle. I seem to remember similar cacophonies being emitted in the '90s by the usually-ethereal (ugh, dull word) 4AD label on releases by That Dog and Kendra Smith - but this is better.
Anyway, whether an entire album proper of roughly recorded surf-pop will work remains to be seen but if included b-side You Would Be So Grossed Out If I Did That or fuzzy wig-out JR are anything to go by, I'll be poised to give it a try.
For more Keel Her info, try Critical Heights