MUSIC ROUND-UP - FEBRUARY 2013

 Dutch Uncles - OUT OF TOUCH IN THE WILD

 Those who thought Dutch Uncles synth and keyboard laden last record CADENZA was too much of a jump from their self-titled first record which had more of a jittery guitar based sound (like an earlier XTC perhaps) might find their new record more palatable.  The keyboards are still there as are the guitars but the addition of strings and a bigger drum sound make this a successful combination – mathematical angularity meets melodic new wave influence.

 This Town Needs Guns - 13.0.0.0.0

  It’s been a long wait for This Town Needs Guns follow-up to their debut record the excellent ANIMAL.  That record was mysterious, passionate and had guitars that shimmered like hot tar on a summer's day.  Although, there have been a number of membership changes in TTNG since then, the hypnotic guitar sound is still front and center on 13.0.0.0.0 if more carefully parceled out.  A riff here, a run there.  These songs are memorable in their own right but overall this is a more laidback variation on the first record.

 The History of Apple Pie - OUT OF VIEW

 The History of Apple Pie build their songs out of familiar materials - Pop melodies, shoegaze guitar figures, distant female vocals.  Nothing new here but this is a supremely enjoyable record largely because the pop melodies are front and center like a power pop-My Bloody Valentine – Pixies- bubblegum hybrid.