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Album Review
by SashaS
5-12-2002
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More on: The Green And Yellow TV
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| The Green And Yellow TV's 'Record X' |
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The Green And Yellow TV : 'Record X'
(Records Records [import])
The Green And Yellow TV precede a popsychedelic debate
In the so-called ‘global village’ where everything is supposed to be available for everybody to find out, there is still only a smidgen of bands that filter through from the States. How and why we get bands like The Strokes, Sum 41, The White Stripes, Cave In and not some others is in the hands of a few record executives. Unfortunately they all work for the Top 5 mega-corporations.
Despite myriad of bands trying harder, being more exciting, some even more innovative, but are signed to independent labels without international distribution. Such is the case of The Green And Yellow TV that, it should be noted in the light of the Brits’ re-interest in neo-psychedelia, explores similar terrain to The Coral and The Music, although they are already on their second album. Their debut ‘As Performed By…’ came out in the first quarter of 2001.
The rather curiously named band from Silverlake, Calif., have recently released ‘Record X’ that is as stimulating as its title. Its essence can be designated as a psychedelic pop but that narrows the scope of their musical take because it integrates elements of grunge as well as vintage rocking and Pacific rim underground. The opening ‘The Moon Hoax’ is pure harmonizing á la vintage Beach Boys over a trippy-cum-rockist basis, with playful drums and an impressive vocal. ‘Ruined’ is quite punky dressed with a splash of paisley-finery.
‘C’Mon Girls’ is a raucous-popster: imagine a Herman’s Hermits’ song played by The Who, or a trashy version of The Kinks. This foursome – Todd O’Keefe, Michael Francis Regilio, Justin ‘Dusty’ Rocherolle are the only ones credited/depicted on the cover – aren’t simply revivalists, it is enough to hear ‘Babies In Zen’ and be slapped with the grunge roots. Still, the main reference point is the 1960s – and the old axiom of ‘if anyone is inspiring you then it might as well be the best’ – The Beatles, The Kinks, The Zombies, West Coast psychedelics of the era, as well as Elvis Costello, XTC… It is not just the case of refresh/re-fashion for a new generation, this really is the XXI century creation.
‘Hawaiian Saucers’ is a filthied-up blues and, although TG&YTV are more akin to the New York’s Liars than The Stripes, they are infinitely more ear-friendly. Formed four years ago the band recently added former Redd Kross-man Steven McDonald on bass and when you reckon you’ve got them sussed, the closing track goes so lo-fi to freak out any one-dimension entertainment-seeker. ‘Benedictus’ is a near-acappella (a chorale?) that soars and flies fantastically: ‘choir’ delivers it with sensitivity and clarity of ‘Presleytarian Church Of Elvis’ (to borrow from Alabama 3) regulars over a hint of accompaniment.
‘Record X’ is an album of songs to get underway reflecting on the meaning of life, personal universe and everything (else that matters); the precise place where all change is ignited. In the time-honoured tradition of early rockers, before the original ‘flower-children’ discovered that each vinyl side could accommodate one whole 20-minute track, their songs are short and the 10-tracker CD comes in under 27 minutes. Which is irrelevant here, quality is what counts. And it counts big here.
8/10
SashaS
5-12-2002
The Green And Yellow TV’s album ‘Record X’ is out now on Records Records (via their website)
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