There’s a new split CD out now and it’s shared by The Gresham Flyers from London and The Pale Corners from Stockholm. Both bands from capital cities, both bands from Europe. Two songs each, from the British island “Berry Buck Mills Stipe” and “Blackwall Tunnel” and from Scandinavia we got “Steve Buscemi” and “Brighter than the Sun”. Artwork comes from a lovely San Francisco picture from my friend Jennifer Reiter, who is the most fervent reader of this little blog of mine. Thanks again!
So, The Gresham Flyers? A quick search on google for the word Gresham, which of course sounds like a place, gives me a town in Oregon. Can’t be, these Flyers are from UK. Well, in UK there are many Greshams: in Surrey, in Hampshire, in East Sussex… and the list goes on. So, that part of their name will be a mystery. What about Flyers? Could it be those photocopied papers kids give me so I go to their shows? Or could it be about a normal passenger on an airplane? Among other meanings of the word flyer, did you know that a flyer is a female kangaroo? What I do know, and I can tell because it’s an easy one is that “Berry Buck Mills Stipe” are the last names of the members of REM. But the song doesn’t sound like REM at all, as it has a heavier, fuzzier, guitar than your usual Georgia-Athenian fare. It also includes some fantastic boy/girl melodies and a keyboard that accompanies perfectly. Really catchy stuff! And then, again, they start with more locations, more questions for me to answer. Where in the world is Blackwall Tunnel? Answer: The Blackwall Tunnel is a pair of road tunnels underneath the River Thames in east London, linking the London Borough of Tower Hamlets with the London Borough of Greenwich. Good to know! And hey would you imagine playing this song inside a tunnel? I’ve never thought about indiepop inside a tunnel. Maybe closing a tunnel once, having a party inside, indiepop tunes? That echo we’d get… wouldn’t it be brilliant? This track is a winner of course, inside a tunnel, on top of it, below, anywhere. Listen to both at the band’s myspace and download the first one at the Cloudberry site.
Jangle pop, classic style. That’s what the great Pale Corners bring to the table. Is it true that their name is a combination of The Pale Fountains and the always underrated Brilliant Corners? Or maybe The Pale Saints and Davey’s band? Whatever is the case, The Pale Fountains have taken the 80s jangle pop school and made it happen today, with a fresh twist to it. A fantastic bassline opens the introspective “Steve Buscemi” waiting for a great violin to show up and make us almost cry for the glorious sound it makes. I don’t think Steve Buscemi needs any introduction right? I don’t think I know anyone who dislikes this great American actor. I wonder if he knows there is great song named after him. Second track is much more upbeat, much more sunny, much livelier. For some reason the drumming beat reminds me of that of The Stone Roses. Brighter than the Sun is indeed, bright, shiny, refreshing. A great way to close this 4-track EP with a big smile. I really hope you’ll enjoy it! Listen to both tracks at the band’s myspace.
The 3″CD including these four songs is now available on the Cloudberry homepage!
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Listen
The Gresham Flyers – Berry Buck Mills Stipe
The Pale Corners – Steve Buscemi
