FLAMINGOES- Street noise invades the house

Flamingoes want to be Pulp. Well, they were formed in 1993, after all. Don’t remember them though. But I loved Pulp. The song that sounds most like an ode to Jarvis on this LP is ‘Late night shopping’. It could be a more guitar-heavy ‘Mis-shapes’. There is a storytelling style of songwriting only few get away with. I’m still not sure if they always do here. Still, ‘Street noise invades the house’ really has some nice moments, such as ‘Seagulls’, a lovely chilled indie anthem about, er, seagulls and moving on (I think), lost in the beauty of the sea. It has a feeling that everything is OK, spurred on by lyrics like ‘You can fly if you want to’. All very uplifting and cathartic.

There’s not much more to say about Flamingoes really. They are a trio, led by James Cook (not the same one responsible for more heartfelt classic pop produced on his own in recent ‘Arts and Sciences’ EP, though sounding a lot like it). They write inoffensively jangly tunes. The last song, ‘The Sun in the Morning’, is really pretty, like The Kinks ‘Waterloo sunset’ (though I doubt I will remember it in about four decades). Rob Newman plays on a few tracks. If you were alive in 1995, you’ll know who he is. Those who liked Britpop will love this band. Or at least enjoy reminiscing of their youth. Like I did.

http://www.flamingoesmusic.com

Anna C

Flamingoes were the first band R*E*P*E*A*T ever interviewed. Last year Flamingoes guitarist twin Jude Cook wrote his first novel; read our interview and reminiscences here and review here