David Smith
Hey gang, Just got the "Fixer" EP in the mail Saturday, and here's my review written during the second listening. It says "from the forthcoming album" on it, so this may be a promo only item. Lynn, since the single comes out today on your side of the Atlantic, I'd be interested in knowing the B-sides on it.
Let me start by describing the overall sound: Milo's vocals are a lot less harsh than the first few times I saw the band live a year ago. Wonder Stuff fans, or just fans of Milo's voice in general will enjoy these songs. The "bang-bang, rat-a-tat" that we've enjoyed with Martin on drums has been replaced by Pete's "bang-bang-BANG!" sound. He's one of the hardest hitting, aggressive drummers I've ever heard, and it's a lot more pronounced here than when he was with the 5-piece in EAT. The bass is a lot more pronounced too. Perhaps it's the fact that VENT are a 3-piece, maybe it's just Morgan's style... I was never familiar with Senseless Things, so someone else can say better than I.
This is the track listing:
1) Fixer
2) At the base of the fire
3) Laying down with
4) Life before you
5) Easy to Talk
"Fixer" starts with a mellow intro that reminds me a lot of "38 line Poem" and the chorus reminds me of "Hank and John" Good lyrics, and an excellent first single. Of these five, it's the one that reminds me most of a Wonder Stuff song, so I like this one best.
"At the Base of the Fire" This song could have been an outtake, or b-side off of "Construction". It reminds me a bit of "Cabin Fever", but quickly changes into something else that I cant put my finger on.
"Laying down with" reminds me of EAT with a bit of Primus thrown in. A lot funkier than anything I've heard from them so far. He's got his friend the megaphone back in one portion too. It's a decent song, but I dont thinkit's worthy of a single. It's also got overdubbing that I can only assume Morgan sings live.
"Life Before You" This song is quickly growing on me, I think it's the
chorus.
"Easy to Talk"- My second favorite of the bunch. It could be because it was featured on a demo tape from a year ago, and I'm more familiar with it. This one is so layered with sound, I would enjoy it as an instrumental track too. I'd be interested in seeing them do this live again... I dont know how many of the sounds are done in the studio. Listen to this one with headphones on! There are some subtleties you probably wont notice from your home stereo.
Those in the UK, send in your opinions on the single and b-sides.
Well the UK Fixer single (not EP!) has the following:
1) Fixer
2) Kissing the Mirror
3) Give It Whole
4) Dim Ki Pense
The packing says that 'songs one and two from a forthcoming long player' All I can say is that track 4 is not up to the quality of the other three and is almost 70's disco :-( I managed to sneak the CD onto a CD ROM player on a PC in the office and a few people have listened and think that 'Fixer' is very WS and pretty good. Some of them have even said that they might buy it.
Simes.
Hi all,
Well I have my copy of the new Vent 414 single here and it's pretty good:
life before you - I like this one as it feels like how I reckon the evolution of the WS would have sounded.
last episode - More lively with harsher vocals by Miles ;-)
your latest innuendo - Slower / more gentle sound. A solid third track.
manfold36boro - Oh dear! A Morgan Nicholls production. What is it with track 4 on Vent singles? Reminds me of Starsky and Hutch. I bet they don't play this one when I see them on Friday.
Simes.
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