published: 24 /
7 /
2007
Label:
Big Potato
Format: CD
Lo-fi, summery pop on third album from Reading-based group Coley Park
Review
Coley Park come from Coley Park on the outskirts of Reading and are Mojave 3's constant support band. 'Rhinoceros' is their third album and first for a new label after two albums on Mojave 3 frontman Neil Halstead's Shady Lane Records.
'Hip Hip Hooray' opens the album and has a jangly lo-fi groove. It sounds like the LAs doing a trippy Beach Boys number. 'Quiet Lanes' is again lo-fi, sounding like an early Prefab Sprout or early Orange Juice track.
'On A Strict Budget' is very jangly and summer filled, while 'I never Believed a Word'is more rushed and would be furiously fast in sound, but an added trumpet makes it sound mushy.
'Thirsty Dogs' is folky but jangly, recalling both Mojave 3 and Nick Drake. 'Always in Love' has a summery charm, a mouth organ solo instantly giving it a Neil Young/Dylan feel, but there is enough Coley Park in it to give it its own identity and to make it a song to sway too.
'Said and Done'is acoustic and, elegant in sound with a strummed banjo, as delicate as Drake again, an added flute giving it a 60's feel. 'Devil's Tree' in contrast is very loud and, still very lo-fi and again reminiscent of the LAs, has a happy, summery sound.
'Somewhere, Somewhere, Somewhere' is delicate and fragile. 'Ghosts in the Sun is lo-fi and acoustic and begins sounding like a Mojave 3 number, until it revs up a gear and its guitars become distorted before it twees down again. 'Of All Faces', the last track, is very summery.
'Rhinoceros' is a total joy from start to finish, and as an added bonus there is a secret bonus track which is very short, experimental and full of piano and distorted guitar.
Track Listing:-
1
Hip Hip Hooray
2
Quiet Lanes
3
I Never Believed A Word You Said
4
Thirsty Dogs
5
Always In Love
6
Said And Done
7
Devil's Tree
8
Somewhere Somewhere Somewhere
9
Ghosts In The Sun
10
Upon This My Word
11
Of All Faces
12
May The Sun Shine On You Kindly