The Pigeon Detectives - 'Take Her Back'
Music can be a cruel mistress sometimes, turning you upside-down just when you're expecting a nice sit-down or making you floppy and listless when you're desperate to throw your maddest shapes. In many ways listening to music is like watching an inept conjurer. Sometimes, even though everything is as it should be, and all of the equipment is working properly, the magic just fails to happen.
Sometimes a musical act can release a song which sounds like it should be exactly the sort of thing you would love. It's very nearly the kind of song which belongs on your dream playlist, but somehow it misses the point to such a massive degree that you can't even bear to listen to the songs it draws inspiration from. Some of which are the songs which, until recently were a big part of your musical life.
So far, all the Pigeon Detectives have done for me is put me off many of the scuffed indie bands they've modelled themselves on. It's partly cos they seem a little smug, if I'm honest. Or because the singer's got rubbish hair (I'm BALD and my hair is better than his). But mainly it's because they're boorish lad-wolves in fey indie sheep's clothing.
Now, I'm a reasonable fella, I know that making an uptight, over-PC, neurotic genre like indie a bit boozier and more fun-friendly is, in a lot of ways, a really good thing. Music and sex have always gone together, and if Lily Allen and Kate Nash can put the female side of things without sparing any details, why shouldn't the blokes do likewise?
So, what I'm gonna do is give the song a rating based on everything about it which DOESN'T instantly draw a pooey moustache on the music I love, and try really hard to put the singer's godawful hair out of my mind.
I recommend that anyone in a similar fix should do likewise, or you'll wind up listening to Beethoven and muttering "curling tongs, curling tongs" to yourself as you rock back and forth in a darkened corner.
Download: Out now
CD Released: July 30th
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comments
How dare you!
Every indie blog out there in green ink land has been swooning all over the dreadfully follicled ones.
And then you come along pointing out that in fact, they are a bit rubbish. The cheek of it.
Although they are a bit rubbish.
But that's neither here nor there, hither nor thither.
Mind you, I'm currently fixated on "Dr Silburys Liquid Brainstem Band" by Mooch, so what do I know.
Hello... Planet Earth to Fraser! This is probably going to be one of my indie anthems this summer! I love it. It's catchy, fun, and gets you going! What more do you need?
And there's nothing wrong with the singer's hair.
[Nothing some hair clippers couldn't put right, y'mean... - Fraser]
Saw the Pigeon's last night in Newquay. Good live session with some great crowd surfing.
Will def buy album based on last night, never mind single.
how dare you!!!???
the pidgeon detectives are a really catchy band and their bass has been used in loads of adverts!!!
and they have a kwl name!! whats not to like!!!???
i've seen them live twice they r amazing
a truely great live act
they really get the crowd involved and this song is really good
reminds me a little of little man tate's 'sexy in latin' at the beginning
anyway ur review is complete asda brand crisps (ie - rubbish)
lol xoxox
I'm completely baffled that people give this band the time of day, absolutely awful.
What a load of old balls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
The pigeon detectives are amazing!!
I saw the live for the first time this weekend and they are absolutely amazing!
So i think that your rating and review is rubbish.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!