Album Review

Lady North/ Paws – Split single

• 2nd Aug 2011

Two up and coming Scottish bands combine on this split single, to be released on the Edinburgh based Gerry Loves Records label. It’s a limited edition seven inch vinyl – very retro – and gives a good introduction to the music of Lady North and Paws.

Lady North’s contribution is a near six minute instrumental track with the wonderful title It’s All About Gettin’ That Claude Monet. The Edinburgh dance/ math rock band has been highly tipped for success and it’s easy to see why from this expansive and upbeat track. Featuring a host of keyboard and organ sounds as well as some wonderful bass lines, the guitar dips in and out over a solid drum beat. There are several distinct phases to the song and it grows to a fine finish as the drums crash one last time.

Glasgow based alternative rockers Paws have two tracks on the single. Lekker is a three minute lo-fi slice of rock, with fuzzy guitars, pounding drums and distorted lyrics. It has the feel and the raw energy of punk, but also the structure of something more considered. It’s the kind of song that you long to hear played live.

Booger starts in a similar vein, its fast pace and dynamic approach typified by the crunching guitar sound and the insistent vocal delivery. Again the lyrics are a little indistinct, but this doesn’t take away from the overall effect. And then the track slows suddenly, the vocals cutting out, with a softer, melodic guitar taking over backed by a slow drum beat. This coda lasts for over a minute, showing that the band can vary its style when it wants to.

Overall, this is an interesting single with three different tracks that are all worth a listen. Further details can be found at [link]