Despistado - The People Of And Their Verses
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 5 / 5 / 2005
Label:
Jade Tree
Format: CD
intro
"Fabulous" debut album proper from Canadian act and recent Jade Tree signing Despitado, which combines the indie-dance approach popular in Britain with the gritty urbanisation of North American hardcore
On their first mini album, 'The Emergency Response', Despistado demonstrated an uninhibited approach towards making angular indie rock. The songs themselves were not any better than decent, but the energy radiating from our speakers suggested a band with the potential to make excellent music. On this debut full-length album, Despistado reward their label Jade Tree’s faith with a fine collection of songs. The manic tendencies of their first release have been reigned in, the songs instead sound structured, but they still bite. The drums and bass, in particular, kick out from behind the simple dual guitar lines. Vocalist Dagan Harding is still not especially melodic but his vocals have natural rhythm and their presence provides direction for the inventive music. Stop start rhythms are very much the order of the day, as this Canadian band combine the indie-dance approach so popular on this side of the Atlantic with the gritty urbanisation of North American hardcore. Political minded lyrics provide interest on subsequent listens. This is an album that initially seems fit for only the dance floor, a high velocity but shallow effort. Yet, the pace sounds unforced and it is soon clear the songs are good enough to merit listens at home and on headphones. All in all, Despistado’s debut album proper is a fabulous little record. What a shame, then, that they won’t be around to rake in the plaudits. The band - after just one UK interview and before they had the chance to tour these isles- have decided to split up.
Track Listing:-
1 Burning House2 The Memory Of This History
3 Victim
4 If Relationships A Construct, Then I'm A Construction Worker
5 The People Of And Their Verses
6 Plants
7 Magnetic Streetlights
8 This Neighbourhood
9 Test Tube
10 Broken
11 Why Do You Choose
12 My Definition Of A Tragedy
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
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