SINGLE REVIEW: Barringtone - Snakes in the Grass
- Posted on June 24, 2008 9:43 AM
- 0 comments
Barringtone
Snakes in the Grass
Review BY Chris Carruthers
Theatrical is the word, wild, interesting, in your face then whispering in your ear before exploding into a massive retro prog build up, only to drop back into a delicate, sugary vocal chorus, tying the erratic bundle together. Escaping definition by simply avoiding continuity or consistence, although in saying this I feel a touch 'conditioned' by musical convention, a restriction Barringtone clearly care little for.
Its the kind of thing I'd have found exciting back in my early teens, with ever broadening musical horizons and a naive distain for the 'mainstream', Barringtone fits the bill. With an upbeat, edgy style, there's no standard chorus/verse pop structures from these guys, but instead progressive, ever-developing and simply adventurous compositions, skipping freely from theatrical scapes jammed with solos and effects to experimental prog riffs with energetic dynamic variation at every turn. The constant development and endless rolls, fills, chops and changes makes for a rollercoaster ride of a track. Consequently, there may well be many who can't quite stomach it, whilst those who can will probably love it.
This bold and unpredictable, playful style is certainly unique, and not in anyway easy to pull off but admittedly Barringtone are no amateurs. With production from Jas Shaw of the mighty Simian Mobile Disco, and significant experience offered by frontman Barry Dobbin, there is definitely a method to the madness, quality musicianship and composition avoids the 'accidental' amateurish feel this experimental style could so easily have. Ultimately whilst you can certainly appreciate the high standard of the final product and the light heartedness with which its delivered, its still just a little bit crazy.
Related Links
Buy Barringtone tickets
Tags
Post a comment
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.seatwaveblogs.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/3161
