Good tunes these days are hard to come by, there are slews of “Britney” style performers and about five tons of over produced crap being spewed forth over the air waves. But, there is a gleaming beckon shining out of Brighton, England. The Electric Soft Parade (E.S.P) founded by brothers Tom (vocals and guitar) and Alex White (vocals, guitar/keyboards), is one of those bands not only brings it to the table musically, but lyrically as well, which is a rare thing in this day and age where lyrics like “my humps, my humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps” are considered to be poetic genius. I found these boys by accident which is the best way to find a good band, when they where playing at a show I was at, I had never heard of these guys before, but their set floored me to the point where I had to spend the last of my money (beer/food money mind you) to get my hands on their album; No Need To Be Downhearted. I was as pleased with the album as I was with their live show which is one of the key signs of a good band. If they are good live and good on the record, then you know you have a winner.
E.S.P mixes heavy doses of Britpop with the classic sound of 60’s rock, giving them quite a different sound in today’s bland musical climate. The musicianship in their songs is fantastic. E.S.P brings so much more to the table than your standard 2 chord power jam. They create rock beats that give you flashbacks to the dance halls of the late 50’s and early 60’s. Their use of harmony also adds a lot of flavor to the work, not only the harmony among the guitar and piano mind you, but with the vocals as well.
One of the best tracks on the album No Need to Be Downhearted, is Appropriate Ending. It’s a bouncy little number with a good hook that puts an image of sun rises and birds singing, even if the start the lyrics don’t match up with the upbeat melody of the song.
“We gave you the world; you’re unhappy, still you don’t listen to me, must be I said the words a little too fast, or the fact that our opposites are polar” Which is saying “hey I love you, I am going to give you all this to show that I love you and say that I love you” but still the person of affection doesn’t even notice that the other has feelings and maybe in some cases opposites can push each other apart.
“You threw away the world – now you’re happy and you’re always talking to me must be said that my world’s a little smaller but for now, there is colour in my corner of it…”
By the end of the song, it is realized that you don’t need big things to show your feelings. You just need your words and the person that you care about, but I could be wrong it wouldn’t be the first time. All I know is that it’s a good song with a good hook and some damn good lyrics. In fact, the whole No Need to Be Downhearted album is good.
If you’re looking for a new band to check out, make it The Electric Soft Parade. They are ones of those bands that everyone should give a spine. Whether you are looking for something to rock out to, dance to, or lay starfished out on your floor to.
