Its long lamented subject matter, but despite the two sets of media being perfect for each other, the impact of music on TV – unless you count that licensed to adverts – has been in terminal decline for decades. The most obvious manifestation of that was the recent demise of the formerly king making MTV, but in the UK the long running Later..Jools series with former Squeeze man Jools Holland as presenter has been in a state of apathetic flux.
Gone now may be the days when as with Future Islands a single performance might alter the course of a career, but nobody seemed to have explained that to the Mancunian quartet Westside Cowboy before they went on Jools to deliver a rendition of Kick Stones (The Boys). Taking it’s stick thin indie rock and transforming it into something dazzling and anthemic, it was the sort of turn that would’ve had the music press of old in raptures, but in lieu of them devoting 500 words to The Rolling Stones instead, the microscopic broadcast audience had to do.
It Goes On – the title is a tribute to the Velvet Underground, from whom along with Television the band take inspiration – is the main course following that teasing appetiser. Wisely choosing not to emulate it, the foursome instead spend large parts of the rest traversing more orthodox territory indie and 90’s alt rock territory, drummer Paddy Murphy a more than able percussive lynchpin. Hitting it’s peak on the likes of Pin Up Boys, Dobro and Well Done Kid, You Did it there’s a steady sense of assurance and songwriting quality here, if few outbreaks of fireworks. The revolution will not be televised – and Westside Cowboy are smart enough to know there’s no need to soundtrack it any more.
You can read a full review here.
The Voice Of Unreason 