The Condos –
S/T
(Independent)
The early ‘80s were great. Punk unshackled a lot of bands,
allowing them to make the sounds and music that they wanted. Informed by punk
for sure, but the new rules were still rules, so instead they broke away,
taking myriad influences from ‘60s jangle, the Velvets, Funkadelic, hi-brow
glam, Kraftwerk and more. The Condos, a post-punk quartet from Adelaide, are
big on the ‘80s and appear quite enamoured with a few of those bands who hung
out on the darker side of the street – Sisters Of Mercy and early Cure in
particular, but there are hints that their record collections may include a
little post-Roxy Eno, maybe some John Cale and possibly a Krautrock album or
two.
In fairness to them, though their influences stand tall and proud,
their self-titled 6-track debut isn’t too shoddy at all. Opener ‘Blue Bloods’
sets the tone with a rock solid rhythmic thrust, icy guitar cuts through the
electronics and the vocals stumble and flail in an extremely pleasing way. It’s
actually a bit of a stunner, and it’s not alone. ‘Argy Bargy’ repeats the success
with a compelling walking bass line, whilst the guitar concentrates its
energies laying down a spine tingling riff, and then, right at the end ‘Night
Watch’ goes agreeably off message with it’s manipulated electronics providing Theremin
levels of untamed hum.
Rollo
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