Author:
Public Record is indeed, for the record, from our fair city of Philadelphia. They are a seven piece that lays on the rhythms without any vocals. The band is a smorgasbord of sounds – Funk, Northern Soul, Shoegaze, Afro-beat, Krautrock, Post Rock, Dub, and even Disco. If you listen closely you may hear faint late 70s/early 80s Factory Records bliss along with Scottish Postcard Records -era pop (think Edwyn Collins and Orange Juice). No surprise here, for they count among their many and diverse influences Aztec Camera, The Fall, Jimmy Cliff, Alton Ellis, Can, The Clash, The Style Council, James Brown, Fela Kuti, and Galaxie 500. No doubt this record will have universal appeal. And yes, you can dance to it.
This record is all about versatility, agility, complexity, and diversity. Even though the songs are dance-able, this isn’t a vacant pop record. It’s rich with jams – both long and short, layered with texture, and engaging – so much so that one could argue that it’s anti-pop in all the right ways. Repeated listens are in order at first to get aquainted with Public Record. The music is thoroughly unique but also reminsicent of so many things. Here’s what came to our minds: dubby reggae from Gregory Issacs; “Smooth Operator” from Sade; the horns of Psychedelic Furs; John Lurie and The Lounge Lizards; and Eno era Talking Heads.
Their self-titled debut album was released by Philly based High Two Records on April 8th. The album was recorded by Jeff Zeigler (known to many in Philly as the man behind band Relay). Founded in 2001 by Gareth Duffield (guitar) and Brent Bohan (bass), the band didn’t really gel until 2005 when a concrete lineup came together and a solid group of songs emerged. Adding a second guitarist, two drummers, a saxophonist, and a third percussonist, the band found its stride. All this makes for a mighty presence and one not to be missed, especially since the drums and horns are exhilirating and the beat is righteous.
Public Record – myspace / high two
|