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The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike


The only thing about discovering a fantastic record long after it's come out is you're disappointed at all the lost time when you could have been listening to it.

In this case we're only talking a few months but for me that's quite a bit to be off the ball on a new record. Usually singles are heard on the radio so far in advance of a record's release or I've read advance reviews or online buzz that's piqued my interest so I pretty much know what I want before it's come out.

The reviews of this passed me by though. Looking back I can find positive reviews in the usual mags and plenty of effusive praise around the net but for some reason I didn't pick up on them. Thankfully that has been rectified now and this is up there with the best records I've heard this year. It's certainly the most fun.

The record takes sampled horns, clattering live drums, guitar, harmonica, recorder, Vince Guaraldi piano, theme music from 1980's American teatime action shows and female MC'ing reminiscent of Betty Boo and Double Dutch and mixes it altogether into a fuzzy whole that not only makes you jump around the room in glee but also makes you nostalgic for being 8 years old and running around in scuffed shoes and a duffle coat drinking from a kwenchy cup. Imagine Belle And Sebastian's "The Boy With The Arab Strap" but recorded in a basement with loud drums behind it and you're part way to describing at least part of this records charms.

Not that this is purely a nostalgic exercise, far from. It doesn't sound like a record from 20 years ago, it just seems to push certain buttons, in me at least.

Pick it up if you can and we can jump around together. You won't get too tired, it's only 35 minutes long.

12:24 | 6 Comments, | permanent link

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