Bevis Frond - Hit Squad

  by Andrew Carver

published: 16 / 1 / 2005

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Nick Saloman has been putting out albums under the Bevis Frond name at a clip surpassed only by Robert Pollard of GBV (and with significantly more quality control) since 1987. 'Hit Squad' is the 20th - and that’s not counting Bevis Frond-in-all-but-name albums by The Fred Bison V and Scorched Earth. This fantastic output has of course been largely ignored by commercial radio and fashionable critics, since the guitar-heavy retro-styled psyche pop he trades in was last au courant circa 1972. Instead, the Bevis Frond is appreciated by a dedicated group of fans who can’t get enough of Saloman’s knack for a melody, wistful lyrics, distinctive quavering vocals and superlative skills as a guitar player. Those fans (me included) will find Saloman continuing his winning streak, supported by Frond stalwart Ade Shaw on bass and drummer Jules Fenton, with assists from daughter Debbie Saloman (who has a brilliant white soul voice), guitarist Paul Simmons of The Alchemysts and trumpeter Roddy Lorimer (not to forget Mark Burgess on “tremolo speed control”). 'Hit Squad' follows in the song-based, less wiggy path set down by 'Valedictory Songs'. There are no 16-minute blowouts a la 'The Miskatonic Variations II' off 'New River Head' here, though a couple of songs do stretch out. The 18-tracks offer the many different flavours of Frond, from the fuzziest West Coast psyche to lilting acoustic work, with such extras as piping brass on the lead track, the 'Batman'theme like title track, and odd synthetic noises and a fine trumpet solo on 'No Attempt'. Lyrically, Saloman is as introspective and occasionally cranky as ever - the embrace of mediocre music is a favourite target as ever, both in song and in the album’s amusing artwork. It’s never too late to enjoy the music of the Bevis Frond, and if you haven’t tuned in by album No. 20 (er, No. 22, I mean), it’s still a fine place to start.

Track Listing:-

1 All Set?
2 Dragons
3 Through The Hedge
4 I Feel Bad About You
5 Hit Squad
6 Alpha Waves
7 Way Back When
8 Mission Completed
9 Flood Warning
10 Your Little Point
11 Crumbs
12 Doing Nothing
13 High Point
14 It's A Gut Thing
15 No Attempt
16 Your Secret Doors
17 Am I Burning?
18 Fast Falls Eventide

Band Links:-

http://bevisfrond.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/The-Bevis-Frond-288993717799513/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bevis_Frond

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