Prague - You Hear The Song And It Is Long Ago

by Benjamin Howarth

published: 5 / 12 / 2003

Prague - You Hear The Song And It Is Long Ago

Label: Suiteside
Format: CD

"Magnificent" debut album from Prague , which has a foot in both the emo and the indie rock camps

Review

The final Suiteside release of the year, and boy in indie rock terms it really has been their year! This is a magnificent end to the chapter as far as I see it. As with all the releases this fantastic Bologna based label has put out, its nothing especially flashy, but after a few good listens its quality really shines through. This is one of the few albums that will unquestionably appeal to both the emo and the indie rock camps, because it has clear art rock stylings, and is quite gritty and intensely recorded, but is also about emotion and feeling over stylistic tricks. All the songs are slow and dense rather than poppy or melodic, but they do get across to the listener eventually. I can hear nods to a lot of my favourite bands here, Pedro The Lion especially but also Rydell in the two part harmonies, and even a little of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Doves, and maybe a little post rock as well. The end result of all these nods is a style that is Prague’s own. This would probably have made my albums of the year list had I heard it a little earlier. If you enjoyed the previous Suiteside releases, then this won’t let you down, and if you aren’t in love with Suiteside after their amazing year, I would first ask politely what the hell you’ve been listening to instead, and secondly strongly advise you to get started with this little gem!