Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Horrors Don't Know Primary Colours


It's amazing how time makes all the difference in the world with certain bands. A couple of years ago, The Horrors were over-hyped dreck that sounded bad and looked even worse. They were a cliche of themselves and for the most part were reviled my most of indiedom. So, what did they do? I guess they literally went back to the drawing board and reinvented themselves.

I know what your thinking, "Reinvented themselves? That's like the biggest red flag ever." This is true but, Primary Colours, is a pleasant surprise to say the least. Firstly, it's actually listenable and secondly, it's actually good. Rather than trying to be a second rate garage band like they used to be, The Horrors have wound up sounding something like early Psychedelic Furs, Joy Division, and The Raveonettes all at the same time. While the band's garage rock tendencies are still there, the band has wrapped them in a black shroud of distortion, ghostly vocals, and haunting melodies. It's these elements that lifts this record from the graveyard where The Horrors once dwelled to the stage where songs like thier's belong.

While Primary Colours might be leaning a bit more in the direction being gloomy then their debut album it's ok, because the songs on the album are strong enough where they have cross genre appeal. "Do You Remember," is a perfect example of this as the song is dripping with cascading guitar riffs that create a certain level of chaotic darkness while salvaging an extremely cool melody that's easy to latch on to. Much of Primary Colours is like this; a dreary delight that mixes 60's influences with 80's era depression.

They may have been reviled by just about everyone in the know and they may have had a lot to prove but The Horrors persevered. As someone who thought they were the funniest things NME had ever championed I can honestly say I am impressed by Primary Colours. It's a far more listenable affair that doesn't reek of hair product and trendiness. Instead, Primary Colours,is actually a darkly brilliant noise pop record that hides itself under a lot of eyeliner. They've won me over with this record and if they would decide to lose the excessive product and grim looks they might just win over the mainstream indie public as well.

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