Younghusband - Left of the Rocks

by Anthony Strutt

published: 27 / 2 / 2014

Label: Sonic Cathedral
Format: CDS

Excellent download single from London-based shoegaze band, Younghusband

Review

This download only single from London-based shoegaze band Younghusband follows on from a Christmas free download cover of ‘I Don't Intend to Spend Christmas Without You’, originally by Margo Guryan, which saw the band on fine form. ‘Left of the Rocks’, is one of the best tracks from ‘Dromes’, their debut album of last year. The band were aiming on it for a sound reminiscent of the Fall during their ‘Bend Sinister Era’. ‘Left of the Rocks’ is based on a love triangle, which there is no escape from. It opens with a dark bass line before a smooth psychedelic organ joins in for the ride. Euan Hinshelwood’s vocals float mystically on top, making the track hypnotic, and gripping your attention the more it progresses. ‘Gun’, its B-side, is a 1974 John Cale track from his ‘Fear’ album, and it's a brave choice for a cover, which comes over like Robyn Hitchcock fronting the House of Love beofre their first LP. A bonus track is a live in the studio reading of ‘Left of the Rocks’, which is extended in a Toy -like fashion, as they break the track down near the end and take it in almost a Krautrock direction. Sadly it tails off at the six minute mark, where live they have been doing it for ten minutes plus, which I think would sound much better. A fine single, however, from a great band.