THE LONG BLONDES – New idols (7", Sheffield Phonographic Corporation SPL005)
Posted: November 13th, 2004, by Simon MinterThe Long Blondes’ split single with the Boyfriends was reviewed earlier in these hallowed, er, web pages, and now here they are with their very own 7″ record, on glorious heavyweight pink vinyl. This record is continuing the affirmation of Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation in my mind as an indie-pop label like there used to be – effortlessly combining DIY values and 60s style. One step away from hand-coloured foldaround 7″ sleeves in plastic bags, I tells ya. Magic!
Fans of super-high production values and flashy musicianship will find little to latch on to here. That’s not a criticism of the record – it’s a criticism of those people. This record is sheer unashamed pop music, which sounds like it was recorded about five minutes after deciding to start a band. As such, it slots right into a long line of bands (maybe roughly going from The Shaggs to X-Ray Spex to The Fat Tulips to The Long Blondes). There’s elements of a Spector girl group in here, of new wave female-fronted bands, of the Shop Assistants… get the picture?
www.thelongblondes.co.uk
www.heychuck.com/theespc
Simon Minter
Simon joined diskant after falling on his head from a great height. A diskant legend in his own lifetime Simon has risen up the ranks through a mixture of foolhardiness and wit. When not breaking musical barriers with top pop combo Sunnyvale Noise Sub-element or releasing records in preposterously exciting packaging he relaxes by looking like Steve Albini.
http://www.nineteenpoint.com