That Fucking Tank - Tanknology

by Adrian Huggins

published: 7 / 7 / 2009

Label: Gringo Records
Format: CD

Experimental, but catchy latest album from lunatic Leeds instrumental duo, That F**king Tank, who merge together leftfield post punk/grunge sounds and disco beats to powerful effect

Review

How can you not be intrigued by this band with a name like That Fucking Tank? Add to that the fact they are a two piece renowned for their unique sound and live performances, and use of an overly simplified drum kit and a baritone guitar which is essentially a bass cohabiting with a guitar in one body. Now as if this weren’t enough to excite me I then got the album and before I had even slipped the disc in I had a look through the names of the songs. With tunes like ‘Dave Grolsch’, ‘Keanu Reef’,‘Bruce Springstonehenge’ and my personal favourite ‘Stephen Hawkwind’ you know you are in the realms of quirksville. Press play and you are not disappointed. That Fucking Tank have a strange obsession with 90’s indie/rock heroes Reef and the album kicks off with a sample of that band's ‘Place Your Hands’, or to be more accurate and culturally valid to those of a certain age and viewing preference ‘It’s Your Letters’ from 'T.F.I Friday'. Whacky, yes. The great thing is that these Leeds based loons, taking human form in the way of James Islip on drums and Andy Abbott on guitar, knock out some frightfully catchy instrumental numbers. They somehow mix the most leftfield post punk meets grunge guitar sound perfectly with some completely filthy disco beats.‘Mr Blood’ in particular makes use of the low end of that fancy guitar to the max. The duo could be likened to bands to Death From Above 1979 with their minimal yet utterly filling sound. Whereas Death From Above 1979 had that sleazy edge, That Fucking Tank have a more twisted mind that would have people more likely going mad than having sex. ‘Ludwig II of Babaria’ edges toward the heavier end of their sound with the drums sounding to me very hardcore. The music is tight and interwoven that it feels like one machine rather than two people. The tracksare consistently strong throughout, but without vocals anywhere it does at times get hard to distinguish one song from another. This doesn’t really matter as you can really enjoy this album as a complete piece rather than picking bits off at leisure. It all ties in nicely without being too over the top to take in as some instrumental/experimental music can. ‘Tankology’ is a really fun and exciting listen without being as far flung as I first thought it may be.

Track Listing:-

1 It's Your Letters
2 Keanu Reef
3 Mr. Blood
4 John Faheyshanu
5 Dave Grolsch
6 Nancy Mustaine
7 Evan Dido
8 Bruce Springstonehenge
9 Ludwig II of Bavaria
10 Stephen Hawkwind