Silent Boys - Princess by the Sea

by Dixie Ernill

published: 29 / 9 / 2010

Label: Walrus Records
Format: CD

Fantastic 80's-influenced indie pop on fifth album from under-rated American act, the Silent Boys

Review

Having been recorded in 1999, it has taken over 10 years for these songs to finally be released, but it is no surprise in the world of the Silent Boys as everything seems to have happened slowly for this underrated American band. Formed back in the 80s by songwriter Wallace Dietz it took the band until 2004 to finally unveil a great debut CD (‘Beauty Tips’) that paid homage to Dietz’s keen admiration for Indie-Pop heroes such as the Chills, the Field Mice and the Go-Betweens. This led to a fairly productive period with a further 3 CDs being released before the decade was out. The songs that make up ‘Princess By The Sea’ are actually the first fruits following a seven year hiatus for the band from 1991 to 1998 and are equally as good as those on ‘Beauty Tips’. Whilst there is hint of the aforementioned bands evident on the CD, it is actually a trio of little known Manchester bands, the Desert Wolves, the Bodines and in particular the Waltones that seem to colour the seven songs showcased here. From the moment the jangle of opening track 'Don’t Take Love For Granted' kicks in you are transported back into the mid 1980’s and when, in the wake of The Smiths, indie-pop bands sprung up in every provincial town offering an escape from the over indulgent New Romantic bands that had plagued the charts for too long. 'Don’t Wait Forever' follows a similar lyrical slant about the trials and tribulations of love, while 'Strawberries and Cream' manages to veer between early the Brilliant Corners in the verses and the Stone Roses in the chorus. The title track, clocking in at nearly six minutes, is a finely crafted closer that has a sixties cinematic feel to it. While bands like the Drums have taken a box load of old Sarah Records singles to propel them onto the pages of the 'NME' and the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart have used the Wedding Present blueprint to become the most talked about band in indie circles the world over, the Silent Boys have been creating something equally exciting to limited exposure. Right this wrong, people – buy this CD.

Track Listing:-

1 Don't Take Love For Granted
2 Don't Wait Forever
3 Nature's Message
4 Everybody Has Value
5 Strawberries and Cream
6 Lonely Boy
7 Princess By the Sea