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.

***

White Night Stand is out now on One Little Indian.

Underground Railroad -‘Sticks and Stones’ (One Little Indian)

This is an album that grows on repeated plays, gradually working it’s charm on you, pulling you in with it. Underground Railroad take a template that owes a lot to Evol-era Sonic Youth, later-period Pavement (Corners/Twilight) and dofs its’ cap to Madonna-era …And You Will Know Us By the Trail Of The Dead.

Perhaps I should’t be surprised that it was recorded in Seattle. But don’t let the influences allow you to assume that it’s derivative, because they have their own spin on it, which should be heard. Highlights include the title track and 25.

On a couple of occasions, there are some tracks which grate on repeated playing ‘NYC (Money Money Money) and ‘One More Hit’ but for people who enjoy their guitar music epic, noisy and in song-form this is a worthwhile investigation.

***1/2

Underground Railroad -‘New Variety.’ mp3

Underground Railroad’s mySpace