The Snowdrops

The Sleepy Dust E.P.

Website

Matinee Recordings

 

The new order-esque electronica? Check! Pet shop boys hand claps? Check! These are the bones upon which the soothing  hushed vocals sit. The title track, especially the 12” version, and “the boy with the hummingbird eyes  are the stand out tracks, the latter also very reminiscent of  the Icicle works. The other tracks, a nice icy instrumental appropriately names “too cold to snow” and a throwaway short piece “teddy dragons” complete the Sleepy dust EP. There’s enough here to pique the interest and make me want to hear a whole album or see them live, but not quite enough to make me want to hold a gun to people’s heads and force them to listen to it.

 

Jon Powell

 

 

Pete Dale and the Beta Males

Betrayed By Folk - Album

Website

Fortuna Pop!

 

Continuing in the protest tradition started by Woody Guthrie and Phil Ochs (both strong influences here), comes Milky Wimpshake and Slampt leader Pete Dale’s reaction to life in Britain under Blair. In a variety of styles, from straight-forward acoustic ditty to New Orleans swing, he addresses the transport of nuclear weapons through northern towns, the fiasco of Hurricane Katrina and the education system. If that sounds dry and worthy, well, it isn’t! Leavened with a dry humour reminiscent of politicised British musicians such as Billy Bragg, Carter USM and Morrissey, a sharp intelligence and fierce passion, this is a very welcome stab at political “folk” music. Musically and lyrically intelligent, it’s a shame that there isn’t more like this out there, given the parlous state of our country.

 

Tracy