Voluntary Butler Scheme - La Chevruel EP
by Tara McEvoy
published: 6 / 4 / 2011
Label:
Republic of Music
Format: 7"
intro
Experimental, but flawed new EP from the Voluntary Butler Scheme, the project of Stourbridge musician Rob Jones, which finds him moving away from his indie pop roots and into electronica
A year after the release of his first album, Rob Jones, aka The Voluntary Butler Scheme is back with 'The Chevneul EP', a beguiling yet oft-bemusing collection of songs that see indie pop being replaced by an electronics-led experimental sound. From the skittish sitar-pop of opener ‘Do The Hand Jive’, a tune that calls to mind the work of Cornershop and even London’s Bishi, straddling the divide between hypnotic electronic and J-Pop, to the infectious guitar riff of the EP’s highlight ‘To The Height of a Frisbee’, it’s evident that Jones is branching out, and having a go at incorporating various influences into his work. The strung out hip hop of ‘Satisfactory Substitute’ and chillwave indebted ‘DOPL’ mark an interesting change of direction for the increasingly versatile Stourbridge musician, yet the record isn’t flawless. The remix of ‘Do The Hand Jive’ seems to have been included for no good reason, and by the end ‘arcade game stuck on repeat’ sound of 'DOPL' begins to grate on the listener. While it’s refreshing that the Voluntary Butler Scheme feels confident enough to attempt a change of pace, perhaps he should try to reign in this experimental streak on future outputs if he wishes to reclaim the accessibility of his first album.
Track Listing:-
1 Do The Hand Jive2 Do The Hand Jive (The Go! Team Remix)
3 To The Height Of A Frisbee
4 Satisfactory Substitute
5 D.O.P.L.
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/voluntarybutlerhttps://www.facebook.com/thevoluntarybutlerscheme
soundcloud
reviews |
A Million Ways to Make Gold (2014) |
Unimaginative and over syrupy pop on third album from the Voluntary Butler Scheme, the project of Midlands-based musician Rob Jones |
The Grandad Galaxy (2011) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadKula Shaker - Natural Magick
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart