Some nice people have been saying some nice things about our EP. Which is very nice. Look out in particular for the reviews all the way from Russia, via our good friend Google translator. Crazy, poetic and (I think) positive. We’ll add more as they come.
Drowned in Sound
And so, finally, a debut. Three of these four tracks have been kicking around Sheffield for the best part of two years now, but it’s testament to their enduring quality that This City Holds Us All still sounds as fresh as that cursory MySpace listen all those months ago.
Some background. Back in late 2006, Bloc Party and The Futureheads - the mainstream bands Situationists did, and do, sound most like - were still doing something relatively interesting with angular guitar music. Fast forward and times have changed: the former released a much-maligned sophomore effort last year that tried to be a bit too clever, while the latter got dropped only to return this week with a new single that ditches most of what made them great in the first place.
Situationists, on the other hand, are still too young as a band to know that kind of commercial pressure. They are, for the moment, the 18-year-old Ryan Giggs of the post-punk pop genre. That’s why they think nothing of opening the title track with a sumptuous four-part harmony (altogether now: "ba ba ba-ba ba ba, ba ba-ba ba..."), stuffing ’We Are Weightless’ choc-full of Minus The Bear-isms and stuttering Q And Not U-gone-polite guitars, or coming off just like the American Football fanboys they are on newest track ’Whiskey and Water’.
All of which might sound like it’s damning them faint praise. But it’s not: on the contrary, This City Holds Us All possesses a wide-eyed energy and youthful exuberance - not to mention melodic intricacy - that’s sadly lacking from other guitar bands of Situationists’ ilk (names mentioned above). It’s a fine start to their recorded career, but most excitingly of all the best is almost certainly yet to come.
Artrocker Magazine
What is it with Northerners doing cheeky accapella harmonising to start songs? Maybe it’s a tried and tested formula and this Sheffield four piece hit the mark with their debut EP. All four songs sport the kind of guitars and vocals that give people hope that some of the indie pap in the charts at the moment might just get edged out for tunes that you don’t mind going round in your head
Tasty Fanzine
Sheffield’s Situationists draw a neat line connecting the wry lyrical wit of Maximo Park and the sheer melodic joy of The Libertines. Recently seen supporting the Futureheads, they’ve also recorded and XFM Session and have featured on Channel M. Such weighty support suggests this is a group who are going places.
Their first demo was recorded using "two microphones bought from Poundland", but don’t be fooled by their roots; there’s tuneful meat on these arty bones. The great thing about this band is that the ideas never get in the way of a good old fashioned pop tune.
Their latest EP’s title track is a glorious slice of the kind of indie music that used to be made back when Britpop was meaningful; unusual chords, clever time signatures, but everything’s there for a reason.
Comprende! is a great illustration of the lyrical diversity of the band. Andy Partridge would be proud of the refrain "I’ve compiled a list of the things holding you back", blasted repeatedly by singer Sam over a chorus of rising guitars, handclaps and snares.
We Are Weightless is a little more rock by numbers, but there are interesting touches, not least the tasty drum and guitar break two minutes in. Close Whiskey and Water rounds off the EP nicely; the sound is a little reminiscent of Bloc Party in a mellow mood with some astonishing drumming and gentle vocals spinning poetry over the top.
Altogether this is an impressive EP; it’s well produced, lyrically sound and bursting with ideas. What more do you want?
Manchester Music (Music Dash)
Sheffield’s Situationists are pretty far removed from the movement that inspired their name, but the opening sounds of "This City Holds Us All" have an arranegment and series of maverick melodies that easily recall the great, heady days of Julian Cope at the height of his Teardrop Explodes era. Combined with skittering multi-part harmonies and the scything stab of guitar, The Situationists have an array of splendid moments at their disposal. The slightly mathematical approach of "Comprende!" may not be as accessible and direct, but it’s clever, attractive stuff buoyed by the anchored swing of "We Are Weightless" and the superb lightly twisted riffs of "Whiskey And Water". Four excellent tracks from a band who offer a complex, melodic theme to modern living – big things should beckon.
!ndie Russia
Dismissed sandwich, expecting resume unknown to me last megabytes archive of a new, unknown name, I unwittingly mummy to skepticism.
Another would Dima poobscheschal mashtabnost mature and very good group of Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!, About which we have already covered. And so, trying to yencode cherstvuyu sausage, davishsya tea, because it was stuck in the throat cry: "AAAAAANNNOOOOOOO!" (as referred in due time, Jay tacit Bobo.)
This is a yes. This wave of sound waves at you on the right side, then the left. recuperation and sobering.
These reefs guitar. This Studding away, it sometimes skillfully derived mathematical formula. This energy ... This is the same, so what would listen, trying to wake up early morning. This nenapryagayuschy zhizneutverzhdayuschy vocals. This is what I love so F! SR, F!, It is what I love Balloons of Foals, it is what I will be listening to them very long, and for that I will wait for their longpley, lest their poteshit the desire for greater number of British songs of this remarkable team. These guys, as if you sing in the kitchen, podlivaya beer in a glass, clap on the shoulder and said that "everything will be all right, but you can take a shot at Mary?" And then ??????? walk in the nightlife on foot, sing songs, lying on the sidewalk, look at the stars and think why God so brutally cool with utkonosom.
And early morning, asked to run for mildew. Bare feet. You will be doing the disaffected person, and they simply would you zaruki-zanogi and ??????? in an endless fun.
They shouted "could be happy ...", and why they believe in something. I believe that today celestial Office promises a good day, and they learned about it first hand.
These first steps in life on the hard ground. With luggage talent behind him and incredible optimism. What sometimes lacks both contemporary groups.
If they pass terrible record album, I just podamsya in a monastery, and I will listen "Grigorian."
We all have children in depth. No need to forget about that. I do not need to seem adult, if you do not want to. We have children and we should be proud of that. We trust adults, we read books at night and love every time, as for the first time. This is definitely one of the best that I have heard this month
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