| From Gigged.co.uk Debaser are a band from Perth, who have had a few of their previous CDs reviewed on this site. On each CD, the band have gently evolved, while maintaining a consistent sound and approach. The band cite early US punk and classic guitar pop as key influences in their sound, although on the evidence of this CD they sound most like a cross between Teenage Fanclub and Pavement, which is no bad thing. According to the sleevenotes, the six track CD was mostly recorded in bedrooms instead of studios, but somehow manages a sound quality better than many small bands who have used studios. Only on a few occasions are the limits of the recording revealed, and rather than being a bad thing they add to the lo-fi charm of the record. One of the running features of debaser's work has been a tendancy to write deceptive tracks which at first seem to be gentle love songs, until the dark humour of the lyrics gives way to spiky guitars as the song bursts into life. This is very much the case on this album, such as with the third track "Love song", which is anything but. The band have a good knack for finding a good tune, and marrying it to contrastingly bare vocals. The only real problem is when the singers stray too close to the edges of their ranges and sound a little stretched. Sketches in Sound is reccommended to anyone who enjoys a good tune, lo-fi sounds and fuzzed-up spiky guitars, thrown together with enjoyable lyrics and a great price (�1.50!). Mike Sketches in sound is available direct from the band at [email protected] for �1.50 including postage, or should be in your local independant record shop for �1. A bargain! |
| Sketches in Sound |