主播大秀

Klaxons - 'Golden Skans'

• Fraser M
• 15 Jan 07, 04:38 PM

Aren't words brilliant? I mean, think about it. If it wasn't for words, how would we know what to call something? And more to the point, why would you bother? Here's an example: Someone comes up to you with a fish in their hands and says "hey, do you like my new handbag?" and what do you do? That's right, you immediately look more closely, just in case you missed a zip or a clasp or a strap of some sort.

So, when a music journo comes up with a phrase like 'New Rave' (seriously? We can't have a genre that isn't called 'New...Something' any more? ARE WE ALL STUCK IN THE PAST AND DEAD IN THE HEAD NOW?) to describe a bunch a bands who've evolved from last year's big indie-dance movement* by only a very small amount, it's understandable that people can get swept along by someone else's lack of descriptive ability. That's the power of words.

All of which is just a long-winded way of saying "RAVE? WHAT RAVE?" when listening to a song like this. Oh sure, Klaxons DRESS like they're really into their Acid House and whatnot, but as far as the sound goes, doesn't this rather lean towards those Kaiser Chiefs - and by extension, Blur?

That's right, if this lot are New Anything it's New Britpop. And why the hell not? From the sinuous, winding "oooh-ee-oooh" refrain which snakes its way through the song, to the stop-start slink of the bass to the played-with-face skronk of the guitars, this the kind of drunk-on-ideas cleverpop we just don't ever get enough of. And it's definitely the reason why people are going nuts for this band.

Sorry, did I say 'band'? I meant 'expensive sandwich'. See? Anyone can do it!

Released: January 22nd

(Fraser M)

*New Post-Punk Punk-Funk, or something.