Red Snapper - Key

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 30 / 6 / 2011




Red Snapper - Key


Label: V2
Format: CD
Excellent seventh album from jazz-influenced London-based experimental act, Red Snapper



Review

This is the seventh album from London three piece band, Red Snapper. ’In Your Backs’ starts ‘Keys’ off in a rave-like manner, before becoming more laid back. The bass lines by Ali Friend who also worked with Beth Orton and Clayhill are deep and sharp, and abrasive to start before developing a dance groove with hints of jazz and underground beats. ‘Chimee’ is like the soundtrack to a film, and Ali's double bass on it hints at free jazz. ‘Biffa Bacon’ is very dance-infused, sounding like an experimental Bjork track. There a touch of smooth jazz to it and added sax from Tom Challenger, while David Ayer’s guitar recalls the La's B side, ‘Big Black Car’. ‘Jack’ has Ali’s fellow Clayhill band mate Gavin Clarke on vocals who has a raspy style. This is underground jazz for a new generation. ‘Spikey’ is very oddball, and has the pace of a speeding train with its weird beats and rhythms. ‘Architectronic’ also has a vocal from Gavin, and, with its deep dub-based bass lines, it is quite charming in its own way. ‘Take Your Medicine’ has a dance rhythm that sounds a lot like ‘You Really Got Me’ by the Kinks but with added jazz like beats. ‘Loveboat’ opens up with loud drums. It has more of a rock feel than some of the other tracks, and also throws in chunks of sax. The vocals here are by Eliza Carthy whom is a long term fan. ‘Eye Liner Stab’ sounds like an odd jazz number, and is loud and again like a soundtrack. ‘Great First Touch’ has an almost Charlatans groove and vocals that sound like Tricky’s. ‘Racing Snake’ is a lo-fi jazz number, while ‘Off Balance’ starts slowly before picking up its pace and is mostly instrumental in tone. A great album.



Track Listing:-

1 In Your Backs
2 Chimee
3 Biffa Bacon
4 Jack
5 Spiky
6 Architectronic
7 Take Your Medicine
8 Loveboat
9 Eye Liner Stab
10 Great First Touch
11 Racing Snake
12 Off Balance
13 Fat Roller
14 You Read My Cards Wrong


Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/redsnapperoff
https://twitter.com/redsnapper1



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