Underground Railroad -‘White Night Stand’ (One Little Indian)

Looking at my notes for reveiwing this album, I notice I have written ‘not for the faint-hearted.’ I should clraify: this is not a Norweigian Black metal album. It is an album by a French trio who describe themselves as post-punk. There are some great moments here, but also some parts that are impenetrable.

Like Rayographs’ recent self-titled debut, the band that I hear most on these recordings is early Throwing Muses. There are some excellent songs -‘Russian Doll’, despite its name, is rather krautrocky. The two opening tracks ‘8 millimetres’ and ‘We Were Slumbering’ get the album off to a good start. ‘Gingko Biloba’ and ‘Seagull Attack’ are highlights – though the latter will probably frighten your Granny (and be used against those the US suspects of being Terror Suspects).

But too often it gets a bit stodgy, like on ‘The Black Widow’ and ‘The Orchid’s Curse.’ Some very good bits then, but a bit much over an entire album.

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White Night Stand is out now on One Little Indian.