Meanwhile, Back in Communist Russia...

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So, what do we think of these awkwardly-monikered Oxford kids?
Been listening to their LP, My Elixir; My Poison quite a bit lately, liking it more and more with each listen... But I'm always a sucker for gloom and spoken vocals.
I suppose they're a bit like a female-fronted Arab Strap (or, *gag*, Mogwai).

What say you all?

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Monday, 2 February 2004 12:22 (twenty years ago) link

Their first rec, Indian Ink was a bit spottier, but maybe worth a download.

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Monday, 2 February 2004 12:32 (twenty years ago) link

I loved Indian Ink, that soundtracked a large part of my 2001, but was disappointed with My Elixir My Poison - they got rid of the crunching, dynamic sharpness and replaced it with abstruse electronic meandering. ("Heliotrope" is about the only song I remember off MEMP, admittedly it's gorgeous.) They're much better than Mogwai though, about the only similarity is the quiet-LOUD-quiet-LOUD guitar structure they used to play around with, but even then they a) had complex melodies, not three notes, and b) they kept everything under four minutes. Arab Strap... Emily Gray's lyrics don't have that humour. Maybe Arab Strap fronted by an undergraduate Sylvia Plath.

"Morning After Pill" is a stunningly good song.

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 2 February 2004 12:41 (twenty years ago) link

I liked Indian Ink at the time, but I like the new one a lot better... The music is a bit stranger, and her whispers are less adolescent and sound a bit more...haunted. But then, I'm not one much for "crunching, dynamic sharpness"... I like the electronics, they're fairly well done...

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Monday, 2 February 2004 12:44 (twenty years ago) link

Hmm, I see what you mean esp. re: the lyrics, they're a lot less sixth form goth poetry on MEMP, but I just find Indian Ink the more varied, adventurous work - it's a lot more forthright too, what with the scary incursions into drum'n'bass and explosions of feedback.

They're absolutely brilliant live, too. Ollie the bassist is gorgeous.

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 2 February 2004 13:02 (twenty years ago) link

but he's a complete wanker.. especially when drunk.

― a person, Monday, 2 February 2004 13:04 (twenty years ago) link

Also true.

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 2 February 2004 13:05 (twenty years ago) link

Haven't had the opportunity to see them live. Would really like to, though (but I doubt that they're coming to the US anytime soon)...

Right now I'm listening to "Cusp", and it's just gorgeous... It reminds me of Pergolesi... And Emily's vocals give me chills.

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Monday, 2 February 2004 13:06 (twenty years ago) link

I doubt they'll be touring anywhere soon. The last I heard, apparently Ollie had left the band, then James left then both of them rejoined and Ollie left again or something

― a person, Monday, 2 February 2004 13:10 (twenty years ago) link

Fun!

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Monday, 2 February 2004 13:12 (twenty years ago) link

I'd heard that either James or Tim (whichever is Emily's ex) had left permanently and that Ollie was going out with Mia from Electrelane. This was about a year ago so may be entirely inaccurate. Their mailing list appears to have dried up completely as well.

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 2 February 2004 13:18 (twenty years ago) link

I'm sure this is all nonsense...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 February 2004 13:20 (twenty years ago) link

Well Ollie split up with Mia ages ago,
erm the last time they played together (I think) last November, it was just James, Tim and Ollie, but that was because Emily was ill. But the Russians without Tim wouldn't be the Russians at all.

Maybe it's because of musical differences, because Ollie wanted them to sound more like Menswe@r or something.

― a person, Monday, 2 February 2004 13:21 (twenty years ago) link

I have only heard heliotrope but I like it.

― Jole, Monday, 2 February 2004 16:33 (twenty years ago) link

Dude, how fucking awesome is the first song on this record? It's creepy as hell!

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Tuesday, 3 February 2004 03:49 (twenty years ago) link

four years pass...

weird thread...

― the next grozart, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 12:00 (sixteen years ago) link

Ah, the UK indie scene.

― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 12:33 (sixteen years ago) link

Lex's posts are astonishing!

― Tim F, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 12:40 (sixteen years ago) link

how weird, i was thinking about 'no cigar' yesterday and wondering whether i'd still like it. had forgotten by the time i got home though and listened to solange instead.

― lex pretend, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 12:44 (sixteen years ago) link

meanwhile, back in Lolunist Britain.

― Hamildan, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 18:47 (sixteen years ago) link

Still such a great record. "Heatstroke" is marvelous as ever.

― Turangalila, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 19:43 (sixteen years ago) link

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