Misty's Big Adventure are one of those bands
who have been poised on the verge of stardom for some time
now, creating as they do - massive pop tunes with an eclectic
edge and warped sense of humour, a winning combination as
bands like The Kaiser Chiefs, The Zutons and The Coral have
already proven.
THE BLACK HOLE is the bands second album
and continues their mission to bring big towering pop songs
straight to your heart - imagine The Kaiser Chiefs fronted
by Nick Cave on prozac, with The Flaming Lips spiking their
drinks.
The opening space opera of THE BLACK HOLE is a combination of metronomic guitar strokes, Can-like drum
patterns and sci-fi sound effects. Grandmaster Gareth sings
in a deep baritone that's equal parts Nick Cave, Barry White,
Gruff Rhys and a grizzly bear - but as scary as that might
sound, its a warm and inviting combination that wraps its
way around some of the biggest melodies this side of the Beatles. NEVER STOPS NEVER RESTS NEVER SLEEPS, is
a more hectic affair - saxophone bursts, crazed drum patterns
and a rollicking piano tumble that sounds like it was born
in the circus to drunken clowns. In a bid for Kaiser Chiefs
like chart action, THE STORY OF LOVE, does
its level best to win your affections. Anchored around a chorus
so catchy and infectious that it should probably be illegal,
the band weave a musical concoction of just about every instrument
imaginable - a busy and bustling environment that somehow
still manages to sound coherent and focused amidst the chaos.
THE BLACK HOLE is an album that pretty much
throws up a potential hit single on every song - from the
attacking rhythms of SMART GUYS WEAR TIES to the britpop goes ska of SHE FILLS THE SPACES and the gentler sounds of EVERYTHING'S ODD - a song built around a tinkling piano riff, infectious hand
claps and the kind of jerking rhythms to cause multiple dancefloor
injuries. The relative calm of DARK MATTER NO. 1 is
almost ambient in comparison.
ELEVATOR ESCALATOR STAIRS is the sound of
XTC introducing Joy Division to the joys of bubblegum pop
- joyous melodies and surreal sound effects that flow around
a dark throbbing bassline, while I'M WAITING FOR YOU prove once again that Misty's Big Adventure are seemingly
incapable of writing a song without massive pop hooks, a band
that can manage to put a smile on even the most dour of faces. IT'S NOT THAT IMPORTANT, holds back on the
multi-instrumentalism and presents a more stripped back vision
- Gareth and an acoustic guitar proving that beneath all the
schizophrenic sonics, its the songs here that are the true
stars.
THE WISING UP SONG may be the final song
here, but it shows the band in no sign of running out of ideas.
Splintering off in myriad different directions, and taking
in everything from baroque circus to dixie jazz, new wave,
avant garde and free jazz noodling - this is the sound of
a band unhindered by notions of songwriting structures or
genres, running free with their ideas and having a blast.
THE BLACK HOLE is one of those records that
looks set to run and run, full of massive pop songs that grab
at you and refuse to let go and a sense of fun and invention
thats infectious. At the very least a cult classic, though
you wouldn't bet against Misty's Big Adventure doing a Kaiser
Chiefs and going supernova before too long.
Crazy psychedelic pop maniacs Misty's Big Adventure release
their hotly anticipated album THE BLACK HOLE this autumn.
Capturing the energy of their now legendary live shows with
their unique sound, the album is a non-stop collision of trumpets,
punchy guitars and unforgettable lyrics. It was recorded with
Brian O'Shaugnessy (Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, Startrekking).
At times like The Polyphonic Spree jamming with The Flaming
Lips, THE BLACK HOLE is an eclectic yet refreshing blend of
exciting leftfield pop; a modern day Sly And The Family Stone
mixed with The Muppet Show.
Misty's have toured alongside self-proclaimed fans The Zutons
who had this to say: "Misty's are the best thing I've
come across in ages, they make me wanna make a new album everytime
I hear them, they make complicated music seem easy and if
Gareth was fit I'd shag him" Dave Zuton, March 2005 So
much so that The Zutons invited Misty's Big Adventure's frontman,
cracked genius Grandmaster Gareth, who the late great John
Peel called "the new god", to join them onstage
with a theremin at their recent Glastonbury appearance. Gareth's
arranged strings and brass for the likes of Bentley Rhythm
Ace, Broadcast and Pram and produced New York anti-folk hero
Jeffrey Lewis' new album for Rough Trade. The remaining seven
members that make up Misty's Big Adventure include 3 girls
and a crazed dancer called Erotic Volvo!
The band has recorded sessions for the likes of BBCs Tom Robinson,
Phill Jupitus and Stuart Maconie, as well as XFMs John Kennedy.
It is little surprise to learn BBC Radio 1s Rob da Bank is
also a fan. He's asked Gareth to record some jingles and indents
for him, as well as inviting the band to play the recent Bestival.
A full live session for Rob is due to be recorded in November
at Maida Vale, preceded by a further Tom Robinson session
on september 26th.
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