Lupen Crook
-
The Pros and Cons of Eating Out
published: 11 /
10 /
2010
Label:
Beast Reality
Format: CD
Bewildering, but effortlessly brilliant combination of folk, punk, pop and new wave on third album from original-minded Medway-based singer-songwriter, Lupen Crook, and his band the Murderbirds
Review
'The Pros and Cons of Eating Out' is technically only the third album from Medway’s Lupen Crook, but in between this and his previous LPs (2006’s 'Accidents Occur Whilst Sleeping' and 2008’s 'Iscariot the Ladder') our man Mr Crook has released a number of singles, EPs, compilations and demos, as well as starting his own label, Beast Reality, in 2008.
One of the things I like about Lupen Crook – aside from his music, which I like very much – is his decision to move away from the indie poster-boy the likes of the 'NME' were looking to make out of him back in 2005 (he made the ‘Cool List’ a few years back, don’t you know) and create his own niche in the musical landscape, pumping out songs seemingly effortlessly, with EPs and singles popping up regularly, new batches of his unusual and idiosyncratic songs, each batch more impressive than the last.
'The Pros and Cons...' is no exception to that – this is another example of Crook’s bewildering talent as a songwriter, as well as the close relationship he obviously has with his band, The Murderbirds, whose backing brings these songs to another level, giving them a real fullness and depth.
Somewhere between folk, punk, pop, new wave and who knows what else, listening to a Lupen Crook record is always an adventure, and this one has all the thrills and spills one could hope for. If you’ve not heard his stuff before, do yourself a favour and check out this record, then go back to the beginning and get all the rest. You’ll thank me for it.
Track Listing:-
1
Fantasist in March
2
Will O the Wisp
3
Sleeping Lions
4
Dorothy Deserves
5
World's End
6
Devil's Son
7
Lest We Connect (The Crooked Family)
8
Scissor Kick
9
Pirate's Wife
10
How to Murder Birds
11
Hour Glass
12
Ode to Fucking Everyone
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/lupencrook
https://lupencrooks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrLUPENCR
https://twitter.com/lupencrook