BIGBANG - ELECTRIC PSALMBOOK / GIRL IN OSLO EP
It's largely surprising to me how many bands are out there yet to
be discovered by many people around the world & I guess I'm in the
privileged position of discovering a good many of them, & letting people
know about all the great bands & artists that are working out there. Yet
another of these is Norwegian band Bigbang, whose music is marvellous,
bringing to mind the sounds of many bands, along with the early melodicism
of XTC's amazing pop.
The Electric Psalmbook album was released in 1999 & opens up with a
rather unusual track called Wild Bird", which seems influenced by country
music, but manages to fuse together a rock feel with a sound not dissimilar
to UK band Reef. The second & third tracks, "Something Special" & "Still
Have The Time" are stunning examples of the band's music, & it's these
songs which immediately brought to mind comparisons with XTC. There's also
more traditional rock sounds such as "Make A Circle" & "Long Distance Man",
rounding out an album that has a lot to offer.
The Girl In Oslo ep is a more recent addition to the band's
catalogue, including the title track in both a studio & live version, plus
some other very tasty treats like "Wrong Number" & "Across The Street".
Bigbang are surely set to live up to their moniker, with a US & hopefully
an Australian tour in the near future, so keep an eye out.
Terry Allen
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~hmag
