It wasn’t long since most of the bands boasted by the British indie scene had little more than a sweater vest, a penchant for Belle and Sebastian and a taste for twee. Although this youthful zest and loving naivety was seemingly bulldozed by the swarm of Strokes-esque pre-packaged garage rock, there are a few groups (or in teamABC‘s case, highly driven individuals) bringing back indie pop as if Talulah Gosh never disbanded.
Blending Los Campesinos!’ signature boy/girl vocals and Hot Club De Paris’ guitar hooks, sole member Stef Purenins’ release ‘Water’ is teamABC‘s most condensed and infectious release to date. ‘Service Station Feeling of Doom!’ opens ‘Water’ in Purenins’ signature light-hearted and disjointed yet jagged way, almost as if Camera Obscura were brutally crossed with Bomb The Music Industry!. With violent yelps clashing with delicate xylophone clinks, it is clear that teamABC owe more to current contemporaries such as Johnny Foreigner than more classic influences, such as The Smiths. Bubblegum pop and somewhat distorted guitar tones blend magnificently -it’s the sound of a youth content with ‘Fanta and pizza’ rather than snot nosed teens yelling clichéd allusions to nihilistic rebellion.
Like Art Brut dizzy on lemonade or Pavement following a dramatic Haribo binge, teamABC‘s ‘Water’ is short, sweet and undoubtedly exciting. 2010? Bring back C86!
OLIVIA JAREMI