Tanlines - Mixed Emotions
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 21 / 4 / 2012

Label:
True Panther Sounds
Format: CD
intro
Eager-to-please, but mixed quality early 1980's synth pop on debut album from New York-based duo, Tanlines
Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm are Tanlines, who are from Brooklyn with a keen ear for early 1980's synth pop music. It is, however, of a very mixed quality here. Tanlines hustle up bass and melody lines which we sooner or later tried to forget about. The 1980's sound provides a tarnish, and after repeated listens a few songs still stand out while others became easy to forget. Perhaps it's the persistent bass line going on on 'Abby'. Perhaps this paves the way for many more excuses to copycat Thompson Twins, New Order etc etc. Instead of the exalted pub attitude of the original Britons, Tanlines have this typical slow American whine. Tanlines' vocals would probably sound like a total mystery to someone who doesn't understand a single word in English. 'Yes Way' could be the cry for help from a dazy cow caught in the ditch next to a field. 'Not The Same' looks towards a major record label deal, yet the samey sound soon reached the point of despair to me. Still, I can't help thinking Tanlines excel in eagerness to please. Tanlines may become the latest pop darlings and could go far. 'Cactus' is by far the most urgent and vibrant track on this otherwise dull excursion. Tanlines could have saved themselves the effort and simply released these latter two tracks as a single record. It would have saved all of us much time and trouble. Nondescript and mumbling new wave memorabilia, with a bit of flow though.
Track Listing:-
1 Brothers2 All of Me
3 Green Grass
4 Abby
5 Yes Way
6 Not the Same
7 Lost Somewhere
8 Real Life
9 Rain Delay
10 Cactus
11 Nonesuch
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/tanlinestheband/https://twitter.com/tanlines
http://tanlinesinternet.com/
Label Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/truepanthersounds/http://www.truepanther.com/
https://twitter.com/truepanther
https://www.youtube.com/user/truepanthersounds
http://truepanthersounds.tumblr.com/
https://www.instagram.com/truepanther/
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
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