Classic Reviews from the Leicester Bangs Print Archive

Skooshny – Even My Eyes (Minus Zero)
Co-produced by Beach Boys back room man Jeff Peters, Skooshny’s “Even My Eyes” is an example of alternative American guitar music at its finest.

Based in Santa Monica, California, this trio of thirty-somethings have drawn on influences as diverse as early REM to Polydor era Link Wray to produce an album of real quality. Standout songs include the title track, which features a wicked guitar riff, the sublime “Holy Land” and the bittersweet “I Never Change My Mind”. In fact, they’re the first three tracks and I could easily carry on to the end.

This release also includes the complete “Holy Land” EP, and there’s also an earlier album available which should be well worth investigating - though “Even My Eyes” is the perfect introduction to the band.
LB (1997)


Low – Long Division (Vernon Yard)
Available in the States since 1995, “Long Division” finally gets a UK release. And very welcome it is, too.

Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, where the winters are bleak and unforgiving, Low make music to warm the soul. These slow, beautiful songs draw you into Low’s grey winter world, where they permeate through like ghostly spirits from the past. Glorious understated melody oozes from every track on this haunting record, leaving the listener relaxed and rejuvenated. You simply feel better for listening to it.
LB (1997)


Ben Folds Five – Whatever And Ever Amen (Epic)
As difficult second albums go this one sounds like it was a stroll round the park. Jam-packed full of zippy tunes and clever words, the trio’s new long player is consistently entertaining.

Influences range, as before, from Randy Newman to XTC, though their own identity is coming more to the fore with each release. The songs, with a couple of exceptions, are fairly downbeat, and tell tales of broken hearts and doomed relationships.

A fine album, though it must be said that personally I despise chatter between songs. It’s not clever and on this occasion, it’s certainly not funny.
LB (1997)


Buick MacKane – The Pawn Shop Years (Rykodisc)
Anyone who knows Alejandro Escovedo’s previous bands, Rank and File, and the True Believers, will be aware that he’s not afraid to crank up the guitars and let rip, occasionally.

Although on his solo outings he can come across a little too polite, with Buick MacKane he is back to his Tex-Mex punk roots with a vengeance. Imagine a sun-crazed MC5 raised in the desert rather than the wet and windy motor city and you’ll have some idea where these honchos are coming from. If not seminal, definitely spunky.
LB (1997)