Album Review

Grammatics – Shadow Committee

• 11th Mar 2009

A low-key and slightly more experimental and atmospheric take on Zero 7’s approach, featuring frequent dips into the vibrant lake of Mogwai’s mood building store. However, it is the approach of Guillemots that leaves the overriding impression, especially given Grammatics more empirical take on performing live.

Dance fans are teased, as just when ‘Shadow Committee’ is building in rhythm and a hint of catchiness is scattered around they veer off in a more incongruous direction, when the vocals of Owen Brinley bouncing effortlessly off the stark bass shudders.

A spindling acoustic element gives a different perspective on the demonstratively pedestrian vocals of Brinley, through ‘Time Capsules And The Greater Truth’, displaying nostalgia and a bleeding heart. This Leeds’ quartet, with this single, will continue to fertilise their reputation as one of the UK’s more expressive tune-crafting practitioners.