THE PERISHERS
All These Years
Fancy some infectious, well-crafted, indie-pop? Your
luck’s in – tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1989! From the opening notes of 'Spectre', it’s obvious that the long, long wait for this London-based outfit’s
third album has been well rewarded. These are songs to put a smile on your face
and spring in your step. If you’re looking for something daringly experimental,
then continue your search elsewhere – these boys have spent the past two albums
in the laboratory and have come up with a formula that works beautifully –
which, I suppose, makes this a peer review. There’s the hugely enjoyable
no-nonsense, heads-down indie of 'I’ll Deny', 'Springfield' and 'You’ll Never Learn
To Leave It Alone', the latter with a solo that wouldn’t sound out of place on a
J Mascis album. So far, so good. Then, on 'Mean Old Man', the engaing pop
sensibility that The Perishers share with the likes of Teenage Fanclub meets a rawer groove to superb effect, with
powerful drums underpinning guitars that make the blood rush and the spirits
soar. The title track showcases a lighter side, allowing the note-perfect
harmonies to combine with a melody so infectious it should be in quarantine
while 'Two Parter' is a title that could have been dreamt up by the Ronseal
marketing department it’s so apt. The first half of this song is textbook
jangly indie, a bit hushed, a bit hesitant, before the guitars kick in and the
song flies to an optimistic conclusion. All this and, in 'White Skies', the sort
of perfect-pop of which Ian Brodie would be proud. Interestingly, an early
Perishers video saw the band win over a crowd of OAPs. There’s more than a
grain of truth here – this is unashamedly broad music that could, and should,
be loved by everyone.
Barnaby Harsent
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