319) Sad, Lovers & Giants - The Mirror Test

I started reading up on this band and thought ah that’s why I’d never heard of them they split in 1983, I was only twelve my huge vast knowledge of indie music didn’t start to about 1986, then noticed this request was released in 1987 and they are still going.  Bugger.

Vocalist Simon Allard and drummer Nigel Pollard reformed the band in 1987 bringing in new members and guitarist Tony McGuinness and bassist Ian Gibson, who are still in the band to this day, and released this record, The Mirror Test.

I am afraid it’s an underwhelming start with the instrumental Cuckooland which I don’t feel goes anywhere.

White Russians it’s over a minute before vocals come in and I was starting to panic as sadly instrumental albums are not my thing, thankfully Allard comes in and we have powerful drumming and a chorus that’s both memorable and catchy.

This is a record where the band are looking to give us atmospheric songs but trying to inject a catchy element to draw us in and I occasionally hear The Cure on certain tracks which can be no bad thing, Seven Kinds of Sin and The Green Years being two examples.

Cuckooland returns and is much more interesting with vocals and chiming guitar and a sax solo that slows us all down and then the guitar starts back up, lovely.

Like the recent review of The Plimsouls I think this is solid enjoyable record but would have been nice to have a stand out track but maybe the band were looking for a consistent sound and I am missing the point, would not be the first time.

However, the record does end strongly, House of Cards has a guitar part throughout that shines through from start to finish and Summer and Smoke is hauntingly beautiful.

A record to listen to several times to truly appreciate it.

6.75/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: White Russians