Firm - Dismal Results

  by Russell Ferguson

published: 26 / 2 / 2009

Label: Whimsical Records
Format: CDS

intro

Fantastic debut single from heavily 80's-influenced London-based band, the Firm

Have you ever heard a record and immediately realized that there are a hundred influences in there, but you can’t put your finger on one of them ? 'Dismal Results' is the debut single from London based band the Firm and is just such a record. It has a heavy slant towards 80’s indie bands like the Comsat Angels, the Chameleons, Icehouse, Southern Death Cult and the Psychedelic Furs. Having so many influences could have confused and muddied the sound and they might have ended up sounding like a copy or worse a parody of an early indie band. Thankfully 'Dismal Results' does not fall into that trap. It has a crisp and clear sound with a clear direction. Maybe because it was produced by Matt Terry who also produced 'We’ll Live And Die In These Towns' by The Enemy is the reason why. Ross Liddle's vocals are a cross between John Lydon and the Chameleons' Marc Burgess, higher pitched that you might expect but it all fits very well into the sound. It is not easy to hear all the words that he sings, but so what ? The balance of the instruments between Chris P Willsher (guitar), Julia Sieradzki (bass)and Yameen Khan (drums) is almost identical to the sound of the Smiths. They sound nothing like the Smiths but the way all the instruments are tuned and are balanced is similar. If you want to sound like an indie band, what better place is there to start ? I have always been a sucker for good indie bands and I like this record very much. I can see myself playing this record a lot .

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