Flowers - Do What You Want To, It's What You Should Do

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 12 / 9 / 2014

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Review

'Do What You Want To, It's What You Should Do' is the debut album from Flowers, which consists of Rachel Kennedy (vocals, one string bass and synths), Jordan Hockley (drums) and Sam Ayres (guitar). It was produced by Suede guitarist Bernard Butler at his studio, 355. 'Do What You Want To, It's What You Should Do' nails home the easy and simple delivery of the band whereas live they are more rough around the edges. They marry the fuzziness of former Fortuna POP! stars, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, with the minimal grooves of the Young Marble Giants, whom they supported at Dingwalls a while back. Over fourteen songs, most of which lasts just over three minutes on this 39 minute debut album, they win the crown for most likeable new kings and queens of twee pop. 'Young' opens the album, and like most of the tracks here it has Rachel's vocal calling out, almost as if in the dark. She is highly reminiscent of Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star. The song starts off with a solo vocal, before becoming more complex while still remaining charming. 'Forget the Fall' is pure jingle jangle pop, very much a tribute to Sarah Records. 'Drag Me Down' is very limited in its playing style, like the Wedding Present but fronted by a girl. 'Worn Out Shoes' is similar in its delivery to 'Psychocandy'-era the Jesus and Mary Chain, minus the wall of Phil Spector-style feedback. 'Lonely' si the sort of track that hits you instantly, and will have you dancing around your living room or bedsit. 'Joanna' shines brightly and joyfully like the early days of summer. Rachel's vocal is crispy on it, but the guitar doesn't drown out the underlying gentleness of her vocal. 'If I Tell You' is so soft that it is almost holy in its style. 'Comfort' is faster and recalls the early Primitives, but without their wall of fuzz. 'I Love You' is like a folk cover of the Jesus and Mary Chain's 'Just Like Honey'. 'All Over Again' is a song that makes you want to love the world you are in, and smile at the person next to you. 'Anna' calls out to all the lost and lonely, in the same way that Morrissey did in the days of the Smiths. 'Be With You' has a Mazzy Star like quality, and echoes in its gentleness. 'Plastic Jane' shines as bright as early the Sundays, while closer 'Stuck' is simple and minimal. A fine debut, but one on which a lot of the tracks to my ears are very similar.

Track Listing:-

1 Young
2 Forget the Fall
3 Drag Me Down
4 Worn out Shoes
5 Lonely
6 Joanna
7 If I Tell You
8 Comfort
9 I Love You
10 All over Again
11 Anna
12 Be with You
13 Plastic Jane
14 Stuck

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/flowersdomusi
https://twitter.com/flowersdomusic

Label Links:-

http://www.fortunapop.com/
https://twitter.com/fortunapop
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fortuna