Dundee

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THE FLOOR-Starving For A Bad Cookie CD-EP


Dundee's youngest purveyors of genuinely innovative yet highly accessible alt-rock with 6 tracks that really showcase their expertise to perfection. Things kick off with “I Don't Like It” as the guitar force takes hold. That they start with delightful ringing guitar chords before the rhythm section kicks in and the two guitarists proceed to scythe their way through a delicious fog of riffing is attention-catching. They then change direction to provide a cascading sea of guitar hooks as the song emerges, a gravelly voiced singer, the perfect addition to the instrumental work, giving things an almost bluesy feel, before taking off into a chorus that's more indie-rock as it flies upwards. All this then heads into this melange of interweaving vocals and soaring guitars over muscular rhythms, criss-crossing all over the place to maximum head-bending effect. Truly a great start. But, when “Nightmare” kicks off, things get even hotter as this hail of sizzling guitar riffing blazes over upfront funky bass and solid lurching drumming before the multi-tracked bluesy vocal intones the verse to dynamic effect, as one of the guitars is now soaring higher to provide a chiming lead as the verse ends and the twin guitars ring, roar and fly briefly before another verse ensues, the real trick being that, if you listen closely, the guitars aren't repeating but flying off in all directions without losing sight of melody or structure. Another departure from the singing allows the guitars to combine in some gloriously seventies Man-styled dual leads as the whole band then gathers intensity before diving headlong into a blazing inferno of guitars-driven heat that's just superb. “Stop” actually starts more sedately with crisp acoustic guitar work adding to the bluesy vocal as a kind of brooding alt-ballad comes to life with electric and acoustic guitar dexterity and delicacy leading the way on what is a quite mesmerising piece that mixes mournful and beautiful in equal measure – only to have it all utterly wiped out as the rhythm section thunder in and the two electric guitarists let off this immense storm of dual guitar density before dropping back once again to the softness with which they began. “Starving For A Bad Cookie” is genius – it opens with lapping waves of delicately chiming guitars before the song emerges over rippling electric guitar chords and electric riffing, the vocals now more taut and emotive, as the rhythm section lurches along in fine Beefheartian fashion, and the arrangements are now taking the guitars down all manner of avenues, the whole guitar drive, twisting and turning to amazingly captivating effect, sounding strong and hard, as well as soaring and gorgeous, all at the same time. As the guitars fly, the rhythms drive forward, then the vocals are spoken in the background at fast pace, barely audible, words falling over themselves as all you really focus on are the twin guitars rising to a crescendo – only for the heat to die away as the track ends as it began – absolutely awesome!! “Love Games” bursts into life on a solid sea of melodic dual guitar riffing over throbbing drums, crashing cymbals and pounding bass before it abruptly changes direction and launches into this lurching rhythm fire and blazing dual guitar attack, the bluesy vocal reappearing to wonderfully evil effect as the song scythes and blazes a trail through your head, once again arranged with an eye on dynamics for maximum attention-grabbing, head-bending effect. This time the guitars actually duel with each other before joining forces to carve a path through the verses and rhythms. It all marches along with strength, purpose and fierce determination, the constantly changing yet gloriously combined storm of guitars, bass and drums, making the song into yet another mainly instrumental slice of alt-rock magic. Finally, the EP ends with “You Look Lost, Are You Lost”, this time the song beginning with choppy guitar work and even choppier rhythms, as a mix of angst-ridden and bluesy vocals intone and rage, the instrumental backing twisting and turning to amazing degree, never once losing sight of harmony, melody, intensity and direction. The two guitarists let loose this stunning sea of electrical density and crystalline purity as they take off on a tidal wave of guitar leads and riffs over the solidly driving rhythms, eventually to join forces once more, even then with shards of lead guitars flying off in all directions, to take the song to its abrupt conclusion.

In short, sensational – there's no-one around like these guys and the quality of playing, arranging and ideas is nothing short of mind-boggling, especially for guys so young as this – a wave from the future, for sure!!

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