Paul Weller said recently that being a mod was in his blood: he might be older, wiser and his youthful temperament buffed by the maturity of experience, but he’s still carrying the mod flag. The same might be said for Rob Griffiths and Little Murders. It’s the best part of 35 years since Little Murders rode the wave of the antipodean mod revival, but Little Murders are as modern and fashionable as ever. Little Murders’ latest record Go – the title is an ironic follow-up to the band’s classic 1986 (or was it 1984?) album Stop! – is every bit as fresh as the band’s original ‘80s material.
Take for instance the opening track, Too Many Times. Strip aside the self-deprecating middle-age rocker discourse and you’re left with a track that’s hip and vibrant enough to warrant a $50K cash advance and avalanche of Columbia’s finest illicit export product. White Train slips down a gear and succumbs to the temptation of emotional attachment and melodic temperament; Waiting for the Sun sidles up alongside The Someloves and finds harmonic empathy.
With its horn accompaniment, Mean Season infuses mod sensibility with its original soul attitude, Bicycle Wheel flashes with Barrett-esque whimsy and if mainstream America was as impressive as American Cool the world would be a better place. I Got You is so sharp it draws blood from your pop heart; Baby It’s You is awash with the glow of romantic attachment, emotional detachment and post-coital reflection. Lately is so sweet it’d draw the attention of the sugar police and Real Good Time is everything the title suggests, and a bucket full of riffs more. Little Murders are as young and fresh as ever.
BY PATRICK EMERY
Best Track: Too Many Times
If You Like These, You’ll Like This:THE JAM, VOODOO LUST
In A Word:Stylish
