Lenzie Moss, Pony Boy, Autistic Angus – Threads of Sound Showcase, Stereo, Glasgow, 17th July
It’s difficult to know how far they’re likely to go with a name like Autistic Angus but if we’re basing it on sound alone these guys have got what it takes. A glorious rich Rickenbacker sound is complemented beautifully by swooning vocals and keyboard and heart wrenching lyrics telling tales of making up and breaking up. In much the same way one listens to the Black Keys and wonders how two guys can generate such a magnificent racket, Autistic Angus contrive, with just guitar, voice and keyboard to create a swirling, harmonic landscape befitting their late night lullabies.
Pony Boy’s brand of middle of the road Americana didn’t, for me, sit comfortably in a lo-fi retro sounding bill and perhaps that’s why she didn’t do it for me on the night. The term “Junkyard Country” has been used to describe the LA-based singer-songwriter with frequent comparisons to Waits, Dylan and Springsteen. This show, though, felt a bit more “Country-Lite”.
Lenzie Moss’ myspace profile describes there genre as “Melodramatic Popular Song” and it’s hard to disagree. When I first heard them on radio I thought they sounded a bit like Belle and Sebastian doing Scott Walker songs, or maybe the other way round. Either way, a winning formula in anyone’s book. Live they’re an even more intriguing prospect – skilfully blending elements of Beach Boys and Dick Dale surf sounds with Thirteenth Floor Elevators’ brooding rhythms and Stereolab’s dance sensibilities. The latter even featured as a show closing cover with an inspired, extended version of ‘French Disko’. Lenzie Moss’ own material – reverb filled, organ-heavy and honey-dripping vocals – is the sound of summer itself. ‘Theme From Lenzie Moss’ could easily slot right into either a 60s detective show or a Gerry Anderson series with its Shadows on acid chord changes and thumping bassline while ‘She Plays Me Like A Theremin’ channels the aforementioned Mr. Walker singing Edwyn Collins songs. A thing of beauty indeed. Download it all now before the rest of the world finds out.
http://lenziemoss.bandcamp.com (free 5 track ep download)
