Tripwires - Spacehopper

by Anthony Strutt

published: 14 / 7 / 2013

Label: French Kiss
Format: CD

Appealing combination of grunge, shoegazing, space rock and indie pop on debut album from Reading-based trio Tripwires, which has been six years in the recording

Review

'Spacehopper', the debut album, from Reading-based Tripwires, was six years in the making, but in between they signed with ClubAC30, recorded an album without ever releasing it, then left after a lot of money was invested in them, and without giving back the master tapes. But six years on they are a different more mature band. This only has one track that sounds like the baggy group that I saw open for Exit Calm back then. 'Spacehopper', the opening title track, floats over us like the opening of the 'Crocodiles', Echo and the Bunnymen's debut album, while singer Rhy Edwards' vocals are reminiscent of Ian Brown from the Stones Roses. It starts off with a spacey feel, but at the two minute mark the music kicks and develops more of heavy garage rock flavour. 'Plasticine' has more of an oddball sound, and looks to appeal to both indie fans and pop kids. It eventually ends up sounding briefly like Ride before going goofy again. It is almost like a harder version of a grungy Placebo in places. 'Feedback Loop of Laughter' starts off sounding like Ride again before they discovered 60's beat music before it gets down and dirty, grungy and gazey, and of course becomes much more interesting because of this. 'Shimmer' in contrast is much louder, like polished lad rock of the early 90s. 'Love Me Sinister' is underplayed, lush and grungy, and works well because of this. underplayed. 'Paint' is jangly and trippy like a decent indie pop number. 'Under a Gelatine Moon' is much more complex, like the Beatles once they got into psychedelia. More colours are added to the sound for a richer picture and finish. 'Catherine, I Feel Sick' is doomy and gothic but with a commercial feel. 'Wisdom Teeth', is lo-fi, and minimal, a track to break up the flow. 'Tinfoil Skin' is like they were originally, a return to their earlier live sound, which was a combination of the early Stone Roses and Ride, and has baggy bass, loopy guitars, and trippy vocals. 'Slo Mo' ends the record and has a whiney Radiohead sound. A fine album, but one which has been a very long time coming.