Let me start by saying that I'm not usually a fan of bands which are explicitly influenced by '60s girl groups. I've almost never heard a present-day group do Spector-style pop as well as it was done back then, and the added whiff of inauthenticity doesn't help.With that said, I think everything is worth judging on its own merits and The School have rightly been making waves in the short time they've been around. 'Let It Slip' is the group's second release in as many months following April's limited-edition single, All I Wanna Do, both on Spanish label Elefant.
The eponymous first track is, not surprisingly, the strongest of the four. It bursts into life in a way that had me jumping out of my seat on first listen. Lyrically, it's a classic love triangle scenario ("And if you ever leave me, would you go straight to her?"). Structurally, there are similarities to labelmates Camera Obscura's hit, "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken", with short verses and a frequently-repeated chorus. It's the kind of single that would be described as 'radio-friendly' were it not for the dross that most radio stations seem to prefer.
Second track 'Shoulder' continues the theme of combining mournful lyrics with soulful, uplifting music. Liz Hunt's voice comes to the fore here, and what a voice... Think a cross between Ali Howard of Lucky Soul and Tracyanne Campbell and you won't be far off the mark. The horns, drums and backing vocals are straight from playbook of '60s girl pop, and while it may not be original, the whole thing sounds fantastic.
Third song 'I Want You Back' is (sadly) not a Jackson 5 cover. It is, however, another cracking pop song shot through with regret and longing - heartbreak you can dance to. The arrangement takes a nod from Belle & Sebastian of old with a blast of trumpet and reverb-laden guitar, but that's no bad thing in my book.
The EP is rounded out with 'I Don't Believe In Love', which starts with a male vocal and some Abba-esque piano. Halfway through, the music slows to a stop, as if to forewarn the listener that something brilliant is about to happen. It is, because Liz Hunt comes in with that voice for a fantastically melodramatic finish to the EP.
The title track is available for streaming on the band's Myspace page and while the official release isn't until 16th June, it's available to buy now from the Elefant website.
[Myspace link]
I'm in love with this EP. Nice review.
thanks for the great review. just to let you know that the video for "let it slip" is on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrBF2nsjeaE