Saurs - Magic Shape

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 9 / 11 / 2015

Label: El Segell del Primavera
Format: CD

Explosive garage punk rock on debut album from Barcelona-based outfit, the Saurs

Review

While they don't exactly doo-wop, the Saurs come very close to doing so on 'Magic Shape'. Their nostalgic renditions of wild garage punk rock pop tunes build on not always subtle guitar licks, and their smashing chords subsequently never fail. They have rowdy rocketing rhythms aplenty and sound as if they are Ty Segall himself. 'Magic Shape' is little more than a grand tribute to one of his albums such as 'Twins'. The greatest virtue of this album is how it merges genuine seashore surf twang with inland grunge. Its sleazy surf twang adds a certain ringing echo effect to it as if the Jesus And Mary Chain had been on a very long rehab holiday, and come back as a much better band. With lots of wows and oo-aahs in the best Stephen Malkmus tradition, and sounding a little louder than Damon Albarn would have dared, Saur singer Sueiro sounds as well as if he is the bastard child of Italy's Universal Sex Arena's singer Nicola Stefanato. Either with or without Ty Segall in effect, The Saurs ought to go viral.They are either a top Barcelona band, or top-5 Ty Segall impersonators. Personally I tend towards the latter.