Album Review

TV Pins – Aircutter

• 24th Oct 2024

Aircutter is the debut album from British five piece band TV Pins. Fusion is perhaps the best word to describe the band’s somewhat eclectic musical approach, which includes elements of power pop, Americana and sixties psychedelia. The combination gives a high energy sound that’s full of harmonies and hooks and has a somewhat vintage feel.

The members of TV Pins all have strong musical backgrounds and bring their respective talents together in this twelve track release. James Schofield (vocals), Duncan O’Neill (guitars), Grace Bailey-Hinks (keyboards), Simon Hudson (bass) and Miles Nicholas (drums) have been building a solid reputation as a live band over the past few years.

The title track stands out, an anthemic eighties sound giving it great power and energy. There is some very nice guitar work on show here too. Magpie Eyes is another highlight, a gentle track with a folk feel and lovely vocal harmonies. And the closing Tonight slows things right down to end on a more reflective note. It’s emotional and leaves a feeling of regret at failure, yet also speaks to finding positives from difficult times.

There is a lot of variety within the album, and sometimes within individual tracks. It doesn’t always work, but the inventiveness is good to see. Shining Lights is more country folk, a tender acoustic track with lovely pedal steel touches. The opening Oh Yeah is very sixties sounding with a solid drum beat and a lovely bass line, although becomes a little repetitive. Bye Bye Reseda starts strangely with a repeated telephone number before finally bursting into life with power chords aplenty. Wishing Pool feels almost like a jam, with several instrumental breaks. The bass line anchors a song that goes in several directions, and will probably work better played live.

Overall, Aircutter is a very different album with plenty of promise. At times there is perhaps too much going on though, and the music never quite seems to settle. Variety is generally a good thing, yet the repeated changes of pace and musical approach can feel jarring in places. But TV Pins are clearly a talented group of musicians and it will be interesting to see how they develop their style in the future.

Release date: 25 October 2024