A free four-track download E.P. from the region’s most idiosyncratic foursome? Oh, go on then. If we must.
Slightly harder-edged, and a touch more contemplative than the soar-away, feel-good vibes of this year’s Radiostasis release, this is the multi-talented, multi-faceted Captain Horizon revealing yet another side to their beguiling musical persona.
Recorded during those Radiostasis sessions, nevertheless there’s nothing of the poor relation about these songs. Instead, an opportunity for the discerning aficionado of contemporary young person’s beat-combos to indulge themselves with a cracking little hors d’oeuvre before the main dish arrives; the full-length debut album.
Turn Away bursts into urgent, jittery life, courtesy of Watson’s shimmering broken arpeggios, before the power chords come crashing in at 0.10, like waves battering the rocks. Pacy, powerful with sumptuous harmony vox, it’s slick, polished and classy. Whitty, of course, is the crossroads where all the disparate styles and influences converge and his monster-of-rock tonsils ensure this is unmistakably the work of only one band.
Although Climbing The Waterfall is the equal of the opener, any song that contains the line, “what to do with these jumped-up places? All I’m trying-a do is to tie my laces” is worthy of your kudos anyway.
While El Nibre reveals a little of the band’s post-Grunge side, with a slamming, Soundgarden-like opening riff, and is as enjoyable a chunk of alt.rock as anything else they’ve done, it’s probably the final cut (did you see what I did there?) that most surprises.
Strong Enough is a down-tempo ballad that Marbles-era Marillion would have been proud to call their own and if Radiohead found some balls and could drag their gazes from their shoes for long enough to pen something decent, they might sound like this. On a good day. If they worked at it.
With one of the best recorded guitar sounds it’ll be your pleasure to hear (Vox AC30, per chance?) and the best kick-drum sound you’ll encounter all year, the E.P. sounds great. Each of the musicians is done considerable justice by such an empathetic and faithful reproduction of their live sound.
This release is a tasty slice of power-pop pie, served with lashings of prog and covered in a tangy alt.rock sauce. Absolutely delicious.
Please, sir; may I have some more?
[N.B. You can grab your free copy of El Nibre herehttp://www.captainhorizon.co.uk/releases/el-nibre-ep/]