On
The Street, 10th January 1995
Whats That Sound? - by Simon Woodridge
| It's hard to get past
the cut of the T-shirt of the lead singer/songwriter/ founder member
Ross is wearing on the back slick. Stylish. It's a word that seems
synonymous with Snout, a reflection of impeccable vintage pop tastes
which swing between late -'60s pop, near psychedelia, Stems-style
Easybeats influence, Mod/Who leanings and... erm, Sonic Youth. There's
elegance in the delivery, and rock in the pose. (Unfortunately it's
so belligerently retrospective in parts that the harmonies occasionally
sound like the Electric Hippies. Yikes!) |
 |
|
|
What's that Sound? was recorded just before a serious line-up change, two original members jettisoning the rock lifestyle to maintain their real jobs. The result is a startlingly solid follow-up to Cleans and Brightens. Kicking off with a title track that's saved from it's own surreal Luddite ranting by a truly percussive piece of guitar ('geetar man' Rob will be sorely missed; his underplaying makes many of these tracks) the album moves through extremes, rip-off organ noodles ("35 Second Street Song Bridge") and rolling riff-based potential hits ("Night And Day") pump the size of this up by putting it through FM. People who like Snout's pop will also appreciate the limited edition bonus CD, Too Beautiful For You. Six more tracks. What a bargain. |
"Some
fantastic pop songs here, especially the title track" -Tracey
"Love this and intend to buy it" -Annette
<back>