Single Review by Mark Bayross
Naming your new single after a train may be a bit questionable at the best of times, but the timing of this release is incredibly bad luck. Celebrating the speed of the Intercity 125 after last week’s fatal crash is a bit like releasing a ditty about the Space Shuttle a week after the Challenger disaster.
Still, if you are going to pen an ode to a much-loved mode of transport, the choices are becoming increasingly limited as Concordes fall out of the sky and ferries capsize with almost mundane regularity these days.
Anyway, this is Lupine Howl’s first single for Beggars Banquet (after the self-released VAPORIZER and BRONZAGE), and marks a statement of intent by the band to demonstrate their diversity (ranging from “blues and krautrock to late 60s Atlantic Soul and country”, according to main man Sean Cook).
Hmm. They seem to have left out the county. And the late 60s Atlantic Soul…and the blues. And the, er, krautrock. Sure, Mike Mooney’s keyboards swirl and swish around on B-sides “Tired” and “Swell”, but really, those are just very accurate descriptions of their sound.
The A-side may be a lot more alive and upbeat, but its just generic jangly guitar pop. And it’s about a train. A train that killed a bunch of people last week. Sorry, guys.
