indie-mp3.co.uk 17 December 2006

Jesus Licks "Dalek Chorus" single listed as number 1 of 2006 by indie-mp3 writer Lost Music. Here's what he wrote:

"I was initially drawn to the single via a Norman Records weekly email where they review up coming releases (Damn, giving away the tricks of where to find out about great new stuff here!). They gave it their single of the week and the review was enough to pique my interest. The review, coupled with the Doctor Who reference meant I was soon online and at the bands My Space page to find out whether this band would be for me. They were. They are liken nothing else I have heard this year. The song was like something from another world. The voice of singer Dominic Golden had held me mesmerised ever since. So if you are a fan of quirky pop music I can not recommend this song enough. And I have since got a copy of the bands LP - 'Terrible Beauty', which is equally enthralling."

Vision and the Riddle 'Tilt' mini-LP makes it into Rough Trade record shop end-of-year listings

Manj at Rough Trade rates VATR at number 7. See what else he rated on the Rough Trade site. Here's what he wrote:

"poppy, beaty tracks that would be equally comfortable on an ad, on the dancefloor or for tidying up your room."

Music Towers Jesus Licks review October

This review made it onto the homepage of the Music Towers site

"Dalek Chorus - I love It when Itunes really gets the wrong end of the stick with Demo's this track has come up as the Baha Men – Who let the Dogs out (Techno Remix). It couldn't be any further from the truth.

"What starts up is a folky lo-fi plinking and a plonking worthwhile of a Regina Spektor or a Tom Waits track. Wicker Man style maypole culties singing about Doctor Who in some flowing dystopian future. Doctor Who arrives to find these barely clothed singing ladies begging for help. It has a a lovely summer sound, and a gentle comedy: shame it looks like Chechnya outside."

As of today (31 August) Jesus Licks are number 8 in the Sam from Phonica's charts.

He says: "Two quirky folk-pop symphonies on this cute lil' seven from Post Records. Jesus Licks (what a name for a band?!?!?!) combine acoustic instrumentation with lo-fi production values and a great knack for melody."

Now Toronto

This from Now Toronto magazine - (that's in Canada folks!!) from 24th August "While we're on the topic of limited-run 7s, Doctor Who fans need to check the new Post Records red vinyl release of the Jesus Licks ' delightful Dalek Chorus single, which includes two equally enchanting numbers, Eternally Lonely and Harr Barbie, on the flip. They well showcase the entrancing voice and banjo/ukulele prowess of Dominique Golden , who, incidently, also contributes the stylish Dalek-destroying sleeve art. www.postrecords.co.uk."

A review from French music site Tatapoum in August

I don't speak (or read) french, but I can see that 4.5 out of 5 suggests they liked Jesus's Licks's Dalek Chorus. Here's what the folks at Tatapoum wrote:

"Jesus licks... quelle affaire ! Ben moi aussi, mais dans 2000 ans, le Jilo on l'aura oublié. Alors, ce Jesus, qu'est-ce qu'il avait de plus que les autres pour qu'on en ait raconté toutes ces aventures plus invraisemblables les unes que les autres qu'il aurait vécues, pour qu'aujourd'hui encore la longue tradition rock'n'roll des groupes qui se nomment d'après lui perdure?

"Jesus Licks, 3 filles 2 garçons, un album Terrible Beauty qu'il faudra écouter, cet EP qui me les fait découvrir. Voilà tout ce que je sais d'eux. Mais ces 3 chansons, c'est amplement suffisant pour oser avancer que Dominique Golden, qui mène ce Jesus par le bout de la langue, a bien du talent et des ressources, et le groupe une large palette de possibilités. Si Dalek Chorus est un lent et long folk épuré, à la Sufjan Stevens période Seven Swans, chichement agrémenté de banjos monotones, Eternally Lonely pétille et renverse comme les Throwing Muses en leur temps et Harr Barbie s'amuse à singer un groupe de filles, de... barbies, plus marrant et vicieux que les Pipettes. Si l'album est aussi riche et varié, il doit être à la hauteur de la promesse de son titre. (27/08/2006)"

Homestead

This one from Holland from the end of July/beginning of August "The single has three more rhythmically enjoyable tracks compiled, with some humour. Dalek Chorus sings for Dr.Who with high pitched breathy voice on pompom-tickle-tickle rhythmical banjo (or is it ukulele) pickings. The second track has a more awoo-electric rocking effect but in its turn also used some banjo with double bass and a great vibe outro. Last part, like a new song, goes for the sing-like-shubelapappy rhythm creating a hippie-happy-poppy funny danceable indie-rock hard not to be make yourself happy."

Norman Records

Norman records liked this so much they made it single of the week as well, a couple of weeks later.

This from Norman Records - normanrecords.com - on the 7th July:
"A man who used to shout into a microphone in the same band Phil bashed the drums once (in a Can meets Jesus Lizard stylee) has sent us 2 rather marvellous releases on his cool as ice lollies Post records. First up is by the hugely eclectic Vision & The Riddle who've sent us their mysterious little 7"s in the past. Now we have a lovely white vinyl issue of their Tilt mini album. Well, looks like no-one reviewed it originally so I'll just say, we have here a smorgasbord of cinematic breaks, inspired samples, twisted electronics, post Lemon Jelly chill-out with perhaps some sinister Ninja Tune weird-out touches. Definitely up-there quality wise with the best & hugely recommended for fans of DJ Shadow, Listen With Sarah, & Lemon Jelly if they were on Warp (IE interesting)
"On the same label we have the debut single from Jesus Licks called 'Dalek Chorus'. We had a demo CD in by this band once & it was a raggle taggle delight. This red vinyl 7" is a sweet tribute to the timelord we all know & love & is possibly one of the most charming, wonky, spectral folk tunes i've heard. It sounds to me like Thinking fellers in their spacefolk mode covering 'Doctorin' the Tardis' in a most abstract campfire fashion. Utterly beautiful! 'Eternally Lonely' is like Lucky Luke jamming with The Delgados. Or a stomping folksy Lush. It's really bloody good you know! 3rd track 'Harr Barbie' reminds me of a shambling off kilter C86 band, kinda Heavenly meets Miaow or early Darling Buds with a dash of Beat Happening. With the girl from Life Without Buildings on vox. Cripes! Got all me comparisons in there didn't I???? It's a coincidence that I've mentioned daleks twice as it happens. I hadn't seen the amazing sleeve for this record at the time. Invest!"

Rough Trade

Both records got on the Rough Trade "What's Hot" list back in July: This from the Rough Trade website, circa 1st July:
VISION AND THE RIDDLE "tilt"
previously only available on a cd/r, here is the debut 12" by vision and the riddle who have found a home on the london based post records, ater a slew of self released 7s. heavily influenced by the anticon beat maestro odd nosdamthe eight nugets on this twelve are perfect for this time of the year with big poppy beats perfect for either the dance floor or the home. 500 only. get in quick."
THE (sic) JESUS LICKS "dalek chorus"
part wonderfully warped liliput / raincoats style indie, part folk and part country, london's the jesus licks pull elements from all these genres and twist them into something deeply melodic whilst stamping their own stamp on their sound. the five hundred 7s are gonna fly! the second post records release this week.

A review from French music site Tatapoum in June

I don't speak (or read) french, but I can see that 4.5 out of 5 suggests they liked Jesus's Licks's Dalek Chorus. Here's what the folks at Tatapoum wrote:

"Jesus licks... quelle affaire ! Ben moi aussi, mais dans 2000 ans, le Jilo on l'aura oublié. Alors, ce Jesus, qu'est-ce qu'il avait de plus que les autres pour qu'on en ait raconté toutes ces aventures plus invraisemblables les unes que les autres qu'il aurait vécues, pour qu'aujourd'hui encore la longue tradition rock'n'roll des groupes qui se nomment d'après lui perdure?

"Jesus Licks, 3 filles 2 garçons, un album Terrible Beauty qu'il faudra écouter, cet EP qui me les fait découvrir. Voilà tout ce que je sais d'eux. Mais ces 3 chansons, c'est amplement suffisant pour oser avancer que Dominique Golden, qui mène ce Jesus par le bout de la langue, a bien du talent et des ressources, et le groupe une large palette de possibilités. Si Dalek Chorus est un lent et long folk épuré, à la Sufjan Stevens période Seven Swans, chichement agrémenté de banjos monotones, Eternally Lonely pétille et renverse comme les Throwing Muses en leur temps et Harr Barbie s'amuse à singer un groupe de filles, de... barbies, plus marrant et vicieux que les Pipettes. Si l'album est aussi riche et varié, il doit être à la hauteur de la promesse de son titre. (27/08/2006)"

Pure Groove

Vision and the Riddle review on Pure Groove website:

"Mini album from talented London beatsmiths, with a DJ Shadow playfullness to samples blended with the melancholy sounds of Boards of Canada."

Fact Magazine

Jesus Licks review on Fact magazine website:
"Delightfully innocent folk on the A-side while the B shows a more live sound that's very promising. Nice three tracks of playful, warm music, and you really can't argue with a band called Jesus Licks or an EP called 'Dalek Chorus' that's paradoxically as robotic and digital as a mug of custard." Simon Singleton (Pure Groove)

20 Jazz Funk Greats

This from the 20 Jazz Funk greats blog who are so cool they reviewed it back in May!
"Post Records artists the Jesus Licks have come up with the perfect soundtrack to all those hazy sunny days in the 80s Dan from TheDoClub spent reading tatty paperback copies of Doctor Who novels. "Apparently due to an inconsistency in the space time continuum and someone fixing it with a sonic screwdriver (with ice, shaken) Cliff Richard , Jive Bunny and Jason Donavan have not been permanently removed from the charts of this time and replaced by Jesus Licks. Their grinning faces now cover Smash Hits magazines, pencil cases and pillows. "So with banjo's at dawn our brave heroes travel through time, escaping snakes, sharks and bandits, or joining them when its fun, to bring neu!-folk to the world! Wipe the sleep from your eyes, for this is a song of waking and listen. A cry for help, a note for understanding, a tale of evolution over 100's of years sung to restraint rustic picking with a barley perceivable electronic buzz of the dysfunctional cyberman your receiving this transmission on, simple and beautifully human.

Vision and the Riddle on Peel

Vision and the Riddle received the immense honour of being played on John Peel's show back in 2002. For proof see the playlist on the BBC website.