Gentle Friendly - Ride Slow [Upset! The Rhythm]
Their first mainstream release since the lo-fi noise pop racket that was last year’s Night Tapes EP (released on No Pain In Pop), London based duo Gentle Friendly’s debut album is a somewhat less frenzied affair than previous offerings.
Through a feedback-drenched haze, Ride Slow finds time to indulge in moments of both reflection and restraint inbetween some of its more cacophonous episodes. From the abused cassette-player whir of opener ‘No Infinity On’ to the almost anthemic ‘Lovers Rock’, such contrasts mean that Ride Slow is certainly a perplexing listen.
Though it is difficult not to compare Gentle Friendly with other purveyors of glorious DIY noise pop such as Wavves and former label mates No Age, there is something inherently unique about
their efforts on Ride Slow that separates them from their cousins across the pond.
Perhaps this is largely due to the sheer amount of variety and unpredictability contained within each of its 35 minutes. Whilst frenetic staccato stutters courtesy of vocalist David Morris permeate tracks such as album highlight ‘Rip Static’, it is the otherworldly tape squeaks and discordant Casio bleeps that breathe both energy and sincerity into the duo’s musical meanderings and mutterings.
However, it is also the undeniable warmth to be found in the analog fuzziness cloaking this record that makes it a great deal more listenable than much of the run of the mill ‘art’ rock that has emerged from the undergrowth in recent years. As Cocteau-esque vocals spiral skywards on ‘Illuminate His Face’ and album closer ‘Earths Move’ hints at Boards of Canada’s nostalgia induced electronica, it is difficult to deny that there is something strangely beautiful and enticing about Gentle Friendly’s music.
Though the pounding drums can often sound as if they have been rescued from a car boot sale and that parts of the record have been mixed with the aid of an Early Learning Centre tape recorder, this is certainly ‘lo-fi ’, but with an added level of sophistication. Ride Slow is a surprisingly complex, but moreover, addictive record with new dimensions to be discovered on every listen. Gentle Friendly have quite clearly paid meticulous attention to detail – and all for the better.
Jon Bauckham
Through a feedback-drenched haze, Ride Slow finds time to indulge in moments of both reflection and restraint inbetween some of its more cacophonous episodes. From the abused cassette-player whir of opener ‘No Infinity On’ to the almost anthemic ‘Lovers Rock’, such contrasts mean that Ride Slow is certainly a perplexing listen.
Though it is difficult not to compare Gentle Friendly with other purveyors of glorious DIY noise pop such as Wavves and former label mates No Age, there is something inherently unique about
their efforts on Ride Slow that separates them from their cousins across the pond.
Perhaps this is largely due to the sheer amount of variety and unpredictability contained within each of its 35 minutes. Whilst frenetic staccato stutters courtesy of vocalist David Morris permeate tracks such as album highlight ‘Rip Static’, it is the otherworldly tape squeaks and discordant Casio bleeps that breathe both energy and sincerity into the duo’s musical meanderings and mutterings.
However, it is also the undeniable warmth to be found in the analog fuzziness cloaking this record that makes it a great deal more listenable than much of the run of the mill ‘art’ rock that has emerged from the undergrowth in recent years. As Cocteau-esque vocals spiral skywards on ‘Illuminate His Face’ and album closer ‘Earths Move’ hints at Boards of Canada’s nostalgia induced electronica, it is difficult to deny that there is something strangely beautiful and enticing about Gentle Friendly’s music.
Though the pounding drums can often sound as if they have been rescued from a car boot sale and that parts of the record have been mixed with the aid of an Early Learning Centre tape recorder, this is certainly ‘lo-fi ’, but with an added level of sophistication. Ride Slow is a surprisingly complex, but moreover, addictive record with new dimensions to be discovered on every listen. Gentle Friendly have quite clearly paid meticulous attention to detail – and all for the better.
Jon Bauckham
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