It Hugs Back - Work Day
by Jon Rogers
published: 5 / 10 / 2008

Label:
4AD
Format: 7"
intro
Unimpressive Supergrass-influenced vinyl only debut single for 4AD from Kent group It Hugs Back, ecclipsed by its much more impressive and adventurous B side
Forget about the lead track on this the four-piece’s debut for 4AD – after Too Pure collected up the band’s early singles – as 'Work Day' is simply workman-like. Happy-go-lucky guitars twitter along in a pleasant mood and everything’s alright forever, yeah in a Supergrass style. It’s dull, totally unoriginal, derivative and lacks imagination. Far more exciting is the b-side 'Take Apart' which is well worth the asking price. Here the Kent band dip their toe into much more experimental and adventurous waters. Even if they have been playing Slint’s 'Spiderland' a little too much. The pace is slowed right down to a crawl and is sprinkled with the odd burst of feedback along with the almost obligatory loud-soft dynamics. If the band ditch the commercial aspects and risk venturing down more unchartered areas It Hugs Back could become interesting. The jury is still out, for the time being.
Track Listing:-
1 Work Day2 Take Apart
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/ithugsbackhttp://www.ithugsback.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/ithugsback
Label Links:-
http://www.4ad.com/https://www.facebook.com/fourad/
https://twitter.com/4AD_Official
https://plus.google.com/explore/4AD
interviews |
Interview (2012) |
![]() |
John Clarkson speaks to Matthew Simms, the front man with Maidstone-based indie rock band It Hugs Back, about his dual career as a touring guitarist with Wire and ‘Laughing Party’, his band’s recently released second album |
Interview (2012) |
soundcloud
reviews |
Slow Wave (2015) |
![]() |
Otherworldly Englsh post rock act It Hugs Back mine a well spring of glittering indie rock on their third album |
Recommended Record (2013) |
Laughing Party (2012) |
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