Workhouse - Flyover
by Anthony Strutt
published: 18 / 7 / 2006
Label:
Select Label
Format: CD
intro
Versatile, highly impressive post rock on delayed second album from Oxford and London based group the Workhouse, which proves to be definitely worth the wait
‘ Flyover’ is the delayed second album from the Workhouse ,the Oxford and London based largely instrumental post rock group. It was originally due out in February of this this year but put on temporary hold when their American record company, Devil in the Woods, went bust. Sadly every thing on that label has been deleted as a result. This album sees the band move on from their 2003 debut, ‘The End of the Pier’, but it is still very much, an album to cherish with even NME giving it 7 out of 10, which is praise indeed. It opens with ‘Chancers’, which is jangly and haunting, a strong soundscape from the start, which blends keyboards and guitar together well to great effect. ‘Chancers’ lets the tiredness of the day just float by. ‘Shake Hands’ starts sounding something like Ride but with cleverer bass lines, and some weird sound effects going on. It builds to sound like a 21st century Slowdive. ‘Coathanger’ is chunky in sound with big bass, drums, and guitars that cut through the air. The latter part of the track sounds like ‘Disintegration’-era Cure. ‘Boxing Day’ is haunting and very loud. It is also somewhat grungy, with bass playing from Chris Taylor that sounds like a lead instrument. Later on, Chris’ soul searching vocal joins the track, blending well with the band’s instrumentation. ‘Big Sam’ has perky and loud guitars. It is trippy in its sound,. The guitars are similar to those of the Chameleons in that they assist each other, without one being more dominant than the other. ‘Sellafield’, has a spaghetti western feel, and sounds like a combination of both the Chameleons and the Cure. ‘Coma’is both light and dark in shade and, having a Raveonettes twang, sees Chris on vocals again. ‘Twinkling Lights’ is like a haunting version of the Cure at the time of their ‘Wish’ album. ‘Last of the Big Songs’ starts off sounding as black as the darkest night, with elegant guitar playing, before it gets more extreme in a Mogwai style fashion. ‘Flyover’, the title track, sounds like the Kitchens of Distinction jamming with the Chameleons, and, another vocal number, ends in a big dramatic fashion. ‘Look Up at the Stars’ is jangly and warm, with big guitars, a perfect end track. It is bit like being at a Cure gig. You just wish this would last forever, this moment in time but you know it won’t and it will soon be the end of the night. It is melodic, beautiful and absolutely and heartwarming ‘Flyover’ is near perfect to my ears guys. A true album to cherish.
Track Listing:-
1 Chancers2 Shake Hands
3 Coathanger
4 Boxing Day
5 Big Sam
6 Sellafield
7 Coma
8 Twinkling Lights
9 Last Of The Big Songs
10 Flyover
11 Look Up At The Stars
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-workhouse-music/204851926241225
interviews |
Interview with Mark Baker (2002) |
One of the most under-rated of all British post rock bands, the Workhouse have now released 4 singles on 3 different labels. With their debut album, a retrospective, about to come out in America, guitarist Mark Baker talks about the band's 10 year history |
soundcloud
reviews |
The Sky Still Looks the Same (2014) |
Beautifully packaged and presented ten inch vinyl EP and first release in three years from Oxford/London-based band the Workhouse, who combine indie rock and shoegazing components |
The Coldroom Sessions (2012) |
The End Of The Pier (2003) |
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
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
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