(Video shows the band doing a cover of Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" - not on the album)
More info: www.myspace.com/hyphengroupe & http://www.hyphenhyphen.com/
I have to admit that when I first downloaded this album and had a quick listen, I dismissed it as indie alternative rock that didn't fit within the pages of Mood Swings. Quite a period of time passed by before I came back to it.
It still isn't the sort of music that I'm going to put on my favourites playlist, but it deserves an occasional listen. The band cite influences such as Sonic Youth, The Beatles, Radiohead, Nirvana, The White Stripes, Nina Simone, Led Zep & Pink Floyd. To my ears Nirvana (yes, the band that killed off my beloved Hair Metal/AOR/ Hard Rock) would one of the biggest influences. Even the vocals have a hint of Kurt Cubain. I guess that Nirvana & grunge are considered retro these days. Kurt & the guys weren't exactly known for their cheerful little ditties and Hyphen tread a similar course. I gave the Smoke Fairies a hard time in a review earlier this week about being too melancholy, but at least Hyphen do it with electric guitars. In fact, there are a few acoustic numbers to provide musical contrast on tracks such as "Without an Arm" and closer "Sister Come". Best track award goes to slow burner and riff heavy "Tunnel Lips".
