published: 15 /
11 /
2012
Label:
Heist or Hiit Records
Format: CD
Deceptively easy-on-the-ear, but immensely promising debut album from Fantasy Rainbow, the band of 19-year old ex-bedroom artist, Oliver Catt
Review
Fantasy Rainbow is the brainchild of 19 year old Oliver Catt, and started out as many bands do as a bedroom experiment recording countless demos. Under a year, three EPs later and Catt and co. has been rewarded with airplay at XFM and BBC 6Music.
The first listen of their debut album. ‘Bos Taurus’, which was recorded in Nashville at Jack White’s studio, is an easy one. With the exception of the occasional song, it’s straight up catchy and harmless indie rock, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. It is music to nod your head to or walk the shop to. It is music that you would pass along to a friend but not in a forceful “you have to listen to this way.” The eleventracks don’t leave much behind on a first listen, but after my second and third listen I realised Oliver Catt has immense potential, and there are glimpses of it scattered throughout ‘Bos Taurus’.
Each song is full of ideas with jangly guitar riffs and fine bass work, while the drums seem to have a mind of their own. Synths, backing vocals and guitar effects are used creatively on every track as well. It seems Catt has put more effort into the production than the writing of the songs, and it makes for a unique end product.
I am tempted to be hyper-critical, and it is down to the fact I believe if this album was a 6 track EP Catt and Heist or Hit records would be sitting on something special. As it stands, however, it is a pretty cool debut album by an artist who will inevitably go on to make brilliant music. Too many songs pass you by, and in my opinion Catt isn’t doing enough to warrant 5 minute songs. If it was an older artist you would say it was self-indulgence, but we’ll put it down to wide-eyed naivety.
I’ll listen to ‘Bos Taurus’ again, it will get better still and I will want to see Fantasy Rainbow live. Job done, Oliver Catt!
Track Listing:-
1
Soda Scream
2
Condominium
3
Nothing But
4
Earwax
5
Portra
6
Bread Biscuit
7
E Z Coast
8
O, Weirdo
9
Or / Comfort
10
Golf World
11
Tooth Ache
Band Links:-
https://www.youtube.com/user/fntsyrnbw
http://www.last.fm/music/Fantasy+Rainb
https://twitter.com/FNTSYRNBW
http://www.heistorhitrecords.com/categ
http://fantasyrainbow.bandcamp.com/
Label Links:-
http://www.heistorhitrecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/heistorhitrec
https://twitter.com/HeistOrHit
https://www.youtube.com/user/HeistOrHi
http://www.last.fm/label/Heist+Or+Hit+