Named after an old Negro minstrel song ("The Hamfat Man"), this London quartet is the brainchild of singer/songwriter, Eoin O'Mahony, whose motormouthed, Zappa-fronting-Barenaked-Ladies vocal pyrotechnics on "Fireworks" and "Soundcheck" set the stage for a quirky collection of angular pop songs with more than a passing whiff of Georgie's Psychotic Monkey. I like the swinging, jazzy, Joe Jackson vine of "Bluesy Grooves," and while Emilie's pleasant harmonizing highlights "We Never Know" and her wafting, lilting soprano graces "This Is Entertainment," she may be the most woefully underutilized "lead singer" this side of Rachael Goswell on recent Mojave 3 releases.
"Saturday" and "Pyramid Song" are quiet, romantic tearjerkers (sort of like Arab Strap with less alcohol and better harmonies, particularly on the latter), and the whistful harpsichord intro to "Bad Karma" is a delicate springboard into a broken-hearted tale that conjures bedsitter images of Al Stewart, although the young ones may find more in common with that guy with the Radio in his Head. Finally, the closing "Bonus" is a gorgeous little piano solo that someone needs to sequester immediately and lock inside the nearest music box.
Lyrically, I'd like to hear O'Mahony explore more deeper subjects than drugs and hangovers on future releases, but overall this is a most promising and engaging debut, and these somewhat inebriated Minstrels in the Gallery are worthy of your attention.
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