First impressions, important to a lot of people, and unless you’ve already heard a bands music the first thing you’ll usually learn about them is their name. “Andy, Glen and Ritch” hardly inspirational in the name stakes, but listen to their music and it tells a different story.
Andy, Glen and Ritch, three lads from Grimsby, play an intricate and energetic style of Touch And Go math rock in the vein of Don Cabellero with an emo finish in the style of someone like Braid. Imagine The Wow giving birth to a more melodic and emotional son, or triplets as the case may be.
“Too Much Hotch” starts with a beautiful guitar line before spiraling into an angular verse that pushes you back and forth against the beat. This is complex music, not something you’d listen to after six pints of beer if you valued your sanity. “Six Holy” starts off in much the same way, if not slightly more confusing in it’s structure. To say this is intricate is an understatement, the muscianship is faultless, always leaving you wondering what is coming next. The vocals kick in resulting in a melancholic atmosphere sweeping over the music before returning back to an instrumental state.
“Yeah but did you get to Denver” starts to get a bit too confusing for me, even after my eighth listen. It’s very chaotic, but well structured. The bassline doesn’t stop; It’s leading, then it’s driving, then it’s stop-start, it’s fucking genius in a mad scientist type of way. “I Love Laura” starts off relaxed, which is a much needed break after the chaotic trip of the previous number. The opening guitar chords ring out beauty before the bass kicks back in and we’re back to the angular side of things. I’m suprised these guys didn’t play Rocktober recently, they’d have been a great addition to the bill.
Jazz-enfused rhythmns compliment the mathematical guitar and bass lines throughout these songs, if they can pull this off live while keeping the energy in these songs people are in for a treat. These guys should hopefully be releasing something soon (perhaps a proper release for these songs – excellently recorded by Iain Wetherall). Until then i’d recommend getting hold of this demo or checking them out live, especially if you like your rock with a frantic, unpredictable and extremely angular edge. One thing is for sure, you’ll never bore of this.
Phil