ALBUM REVIEWS

The Banshee
YOUR NICE HABITS
SUITSIDE 30.11.09
@www.vanguard-online.co.uk


Following Franz Ferdinand’s raid on the UK pop charts some years ago, rafts of other spiky, arty bands have tried to follow in their footsteps. Some succeeded, and others drifted back into indie insignificance. Most of these were pale-faced geeky young boys from middle-England - not so The Banshee. They are actually from Italy – a country not particularly celebrated for their export of inventive art-punk combos.

The ten tracks on this album rattle past in just under forty minutes – in the old days that would have conveniently nestled on one side of a C90 cassette tape. First track ‘Cut Me Clear’ launches into a taut rhythmic thrust which recalls Wire or Devo’s punchy quirky qualities. ‘3rd’ continues the trend – vocalist Jago’s slightly unhinged tilt at hurling the lyrics roughly in our vague direction adding to the buzz-sawing frenzy. ‘Russia’ is also a cracker – hurtling along with express train reckless abandon and ‘Believe The Master’ has a great cascading guitar line that winds it’s way into your brain with the subtlety of an industrial pneumatic drill.

Previously released as an EP on Oxford based Shifty Disco label ‘People Around’ ensures that the album doesn’t tail off towards the end – a huge chorus, and some wibbly-wobbly effects make this one of the best tracks on the album.

If this lot hailed from this country there’d probably be hip young things somewhere creating a massive blogging buzz about this band. I believe that’s the modern equivalent of gaining a reputation by word of mouth. As it is not many people may get to know about this perky, punky outfit. So I would suggest you order your favourite pizza, and then settle down to check out Italy’s next best export.

Steve Claire

www.myspace.com/thebanshee