The jangly start to “A Trip To Vienna” suddenly opens out into a full-on garage pulse of fuzz driven guitar and pounding keys. Both announce the band’s arrival with more than a touch of panache. An impressive start.
“Lost Organ” opens with swirling keys, and all-important attitude. “Moloko Sound Club” and “Bad Taste And Gold On The Doors” both work well, the latter being an impressive post-punk, organ drenched fuzz fest. The ethereal “Love Bandit” slows it all down nicely and is a standout track. It has atmosphere and 60’s sensibilities, set amid a spaced out feeling.
“Down, Down, Down” continues that vibe perfectly before opening out in now familiar Hushpuppies style. “Fiction In The Facts” and “Lunatics Song” sit comfortably before the high energy “Hot Shot” kicks in with a Kinks-style lyric. “Broken Matador” takes us to slightly darker territory. It is a mood continued with “Harmonium”.
Silence Is Golden ends with the standout “You’re Gonna Say Yeah”. There is enough quality on this album to get you saying just that. Whilst drawing from their influences, the band has enough individuality, character, energy, and style of their own to sound fresh, distinctive, and full of potential.
This album should see them begin to rise above the crowd. The balance between light, against dark, melodic, to rock, works well. Bright and jangly one moment to fuzzed out trip land the next, they succeed in keeping the album interesting. For me it’s the keys that are the killer - that, and some imaginative songwriting and lyrics.
Keep an eye on this band. You should be hearing a lot more from them very soon.
The Hushpuppies (France) can be found on their official website. Don't worry; it's in English, just like the album!
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