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‘The Switch Room’ (LP, self-released) You could dismiss Pressplay’s music for its blatant BS postcode but that wouldn’t do justice to their clear personality. Trip-prog in its ambitions, with Helen ‘Banga’ McDowall bringing classical-leaning piano, Miles-ish muted trumpet or cutting vocals throughout, the music makes a lot from what is basically a trio sound. ‘Dr Rip Hop’ has a great energy, furious bass riff and telephone-distort vocals making sleazy promises, while ‘Time To Pretend’ has a noir 60s thing going on that’s only slightly heading towards Portishead. It’s Rich Magee’s d&b wonk-bass on ‘Dead End Goodbyes’ and Greg White’s matching drum-clatter that catch the ear, though, a fine update on a psychedelic freak out that must be a (trumpet) blast live. (Tony Benjamin)
Copyright Tony Benjamin 2011 |
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