Kody Neilson has done a bit of a Beck. Formerly of experimental noise rock band The Mint Chicks, he’s made Electric Hawaii, an album of up-tempo psychedelia. From the bygone territory of Velvet Underground to the dance infused sound of Animal Collective, it’s retromusica that sounds fresh, making a name for itself in the way that Stereolab or The Brian Jonestown Massacre have done before.
There are however, moments that fade into the background a little (Outer Space, Fly) but they are pulled back by the stronger tracks. Blue Meanies and Coca Elixer have that big sixties wall of sound, the words layering and echoing with a reverb guitar as backbone, whilst Girl has the spirit of Northern Soul. Inhaler Song is slow and thoughtful, invoking Mercury Rev, it’s a sunset sound that turns into a storm of feedback. Getaway Tonight has a back track that almost (almost) moves into dubstep territory with off kilter beat patterns.
Largely a one man show (the album was recorded, mastered and mixed by Neilson at home), former compatriot Bic Runga helps out on vocals whilst Kody’s dad plays trumpet. Their live show promises to include Bic on vocals and former Mint Chicks bandmate Michael Logie as multi-instrumentalist.
Perhaps there aren’t enough keepers to enable Electric Hawaii to be as big as Odelay, but it’s a great listen nonetheless.
Review by: Selina Ream
Premiere Video for ‘Getaway Tonight’
Tour Dates
Mon 29-Oct – UK – London – The Shacklewell Arms – FREE with sign-up to guestlist Link
Tue 30-Oct – UK – London – The Shacklewell Arms – FREE with sign-up to guestlist Link
Thu 01-Nov – UK – Manchester – Night & Day Café www.seetickets.com
Sat 03-Nov – Holland – Amsterdam – Paradiso – London Calling www.londoncalling.nl
Sun 04-Nov – France – Paris – tbc
Mon 05-Nov – Belgium – Brussels – AB Club www.abconcerts.be/en/concerts
Tue 06-Nov– Germany – Berlin – Crystal www.trinitymusic.de
Wed 07-Nov – Germany – Hamburg – Prinzenbar www.karsten-jahnke.de
Electric Hawaii is released on Fire Records 6 August 2012
