Underground Railroad - Sticks and Stones

  by Helen Tipping

published: 2 / 9 / 2008

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Poor old Underground Railroad ! Due to confusion at the Reading Festival they were bottled off by Foo Fighters fans who had believed a rumour that the previous band the FF'ers were actually the Foos playing a secret gig. It would be one thing to be bottled off for being crap, but for not conforming to rumour seems more than unfair. The band seem to be pretty tenacious though. They carried on and the Foo fans that stayed seem to have enjoyed the show. So who are they? Formed in France and based in London, the band's members are Raphael Mura on drums and vocals, Marion Andrau on guitar and vocals and JB Ganivet on bass guitar and backing vocals. They have been going for four years, and this is their second album. I've been listening to it for a couple of weeks now, and through headphones at work or on the train it doesn't work for me. This is probably because of the feedback and sonic noise of their music. It is better out loud on speakers without background noise to cause confusion. The band's blurb claims that they are a post punk act, and their style certainly owes a lot to the early 80's with a definite nod towards Jesus & Mary Chain guitars, repetitive sounds that build up, and distorted vocals, particularly on amongst others'One More Hit' and 'Kill'. 'Six Pied Sous Terre' is more tuneful and clear. 'Idealize' is my favourite track from this album. It has a slow start, and grungy bass and clear guitar and vocals all appearing in juxtaposition before fast tribal drumming comes in. Yes it goes slow, fast. slow, fast, but that's not always a bad thing, as long as a band doesn't over use the format.

Track Listing:-

1 Poems For Freaks
2 Sticks And Stones
3 25
4 NYC (Money Money)
5 Kill Me Now (Or You Never Will)
6 Stuff In Your Pocket
7 One More Hit
8 Six Pieds Sous Terre
9 New Variety
10 Idealise

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