Suntan - s/t EP
(Kimchee)
Suntan's self-titled debut EP is a half-hour, three-song affair, so let's do this track by track: First song "L # 249747" is an 11-minute monster that unfortunately, given its length, ends up meandering rather than charging ahead. The satisfying opening chunk moves along in a repetitive, Spacemen 3-style lumber-further inviting the comparison, Nick Holdzkom's vocals exist somewhere in the gray-space between Sonic Boom's deep sing-talk and Jason Spaceman's junkie croon. About four minutes in, though, the plot is lost as the band heads into a formless noise break and then into a noisy Krautrock stomp. Endless-but powerful-jamming ensues, with periodic returns to the main organ/guitar riff. Pared down a bit this would be easier to digest, but as is, it's difficult to remain focused on what's happening: too much of a good thing.
The spacey feel is stripped away on "Bag it Up," which puzzlingly falls squarely into the early-/mid-'90s indie category. It's all there: dirty, shuffling guitars, definite pop smarts, and sad loser vocals complete with a passably clever whiteboy twist on hip-hop lyrics ("With my mind on money and no money in my pocket"). On its own merits this is a fine, hummable song (would've made a great 45); sandwiched between the interstellar guitar/organ attacks of "L # 249747" and "Soak Up the Rays" it tends just to baffle, confusing the EP's flow.
"Soak Up the Rays" gets the space train back on track. Lengthy and slow-building, it's of the same dense-sounding stripe as the EP's massive opener. The crackling organ is a plus and there is more heavy, huge guitar work to be had, along with a raging ending. Again, however, the clock works against Suntan as the track simply can't support itself over its length-the listener's attention wanders as the band enters the extended instrumental section that closes the record.
Yes, the scope of this EP is ambitious, but the flow is jarring and the longer songs lack focus, losing muscle as they continue. There are lotsa great guitar noises here, some powerful riffs, and a handful of moments reminiscent of the best spacerock out there. Within that genre, though, Suntan's flaws mark it as decidedly average.
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