Like Monty Python used to say, and now for something completely different…
My first ever EP review…
I’ve chosen an unexpected genre: Electronica/Synth pop. Because back in the day, I was the proud owner of a Korg DW8000 which I learnt to programme. However, the main reason I’ve chosen to write this post is because I liked what I heard and thought others would too.
A little bit about the band first. The cleverly named Tingle in the Netherlands are a Manchester duo, composed of poet Helên T and electronic musician Owen J. In their Facebook page, they describe their genre as electronica/wonky synth pop. There’s nothing wonky about their music though.
The EP gets to a great start with the title track, Prostitute’s Handbag, with its clever minimalistic lyrics and cool beat. You must pay attention to the lyrics, for they are part of the song’s quirky charm. Its chorus, will get stuck in your head like a broken record. Not a bad thing, and if the lyrics make you smile whilst you sing along, then even better.
Next is I Lost my Heart to a Starship Cleaner, which made me think of Erasure, Kraftwerk and the Pet Shop Boys all rolled into one, but with a female singer. Again, the lyrics are mad genius.
A Forest of Cocks, with its 80′s inspired intro, has a fantastic narrative that is pure surreal poetry. This, along with the last song, Mammals, are probably my favourites, though I like them all. Mammals is another great mix of atmospheric synths , effects and surreal facts.
Cool, atmospheric, witty, clever, poetic, funny and demented. This is definitely an EP you ought to check out if you like Erasure, Kraftwerk, New Order, Yazoo and others. It’s tons of fun with no doom and gloom or heavy preachy lyrics.
Here’s a taster video…
If you like what you heard, you’ll be happy to know the band’s first full length album is scheduled for release in 2012 with record label www.nervecho.com which is also where you can purchase this EP and the brilliantly witty single The Housewife’s Lament which takes a well-known cliché and gives it a whole new feel that will make you smile. I meant to also say the Atomizer remix of Prostitute’s Handbag is also awesome and worth checking out as well.
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Coming up later this week will be another EP review as well as the usual posts with upcoming gigs, and a few reviews I’ve been meaning to post but have been unable to due to a combination of computer problems and time constraints.
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Alannah Murphy is a former rock musician turned writer, currently working on a rock'n'roll novel set in London. 
We love Tingle In The Netherlands++++++++++. We are the music band from Argentina “Farmacia” and you can hear Farmacia “Todo está bien” (Owen J Remix) enjoy it ++++++++++ http://soundcloud.com/farmacia/farmacia-todo-esta-bien-owen-j
Great track guys…thanks for commenting.
I like this a lot. Thanks for opening this up.
Glad you liked it Richard! Thanks for checking them out, they’re very good.
well I made 2 minutes before my crappy a$$ internet cut it off… but very interesting!
Your internet, sounds as bad as mine but glad you got to hear some of it!
Excellent Alannah! I’m tingling… but not in the Netherlands. Great, short, descriptive review.
ha ha Jude, love that, thank you, I always try to make things short but with enough info that people get it, but don’t start rolling their eyes at the length.