Undercut -
Inciting interest from two legendary producers, John Leckie and Ian Grimble, who have worked with Radiohead and The Las respectively, Undercut excite on reputation alone. The quintet have decided to establish their own record label, Distiller Records, and release their debut single ‘Soul Food Mother’ through that. Ambition isn’t lacking from this group of Bristolian indie-rockers.
Nor is a solid and refreshing sound, ‘Soul Food Mother’ is an intelligent and catchy song, emanating a distinct acumen for modern life and an intellect that supersedes most in the current state of popular music. The coming of Undercut is welcome and invigorating change from the abundance of ‘mathematical’ emo that so clogs up the arteries of today’s airwaves.
The band decided in the end, on employing the services of Ian Grimble to produce their sound, no hard feelings though, as John Leckie described ‘Soul Food Mother’ as a “killer hit.” It’s undeniable from the interest that they’ve gained and obvious from the noise they produce that Undercut are able enough to join the ranks of good British bands pulling music through this stale and uninspiring moment in pop history. Undercut’s name could soon find itself alongside other respectable British titles: Snow Patrol, The Music, Biffy Clyro…This is new music, rather than ‘nu’ music!
First B-side, ‘Butterfly’ has the succulent feel of a trippy Verve tune and then unexpectedly launches into a hard-driven chorus worthy a short burst of dance. Johnny Benn’s vocals on this track have an epic quality about which transform the song from a mellow, swirly verse to a grand chorus, through a bout of transmogrified psychodelia and back again.
‘Coming Back Down To Earth’ seems to intone a political conscience with lyrics such as “You’re proud to give the orders, you take no time to justify.” Fittingly, the song begins with an acoustic guitar and vocals that wouldn’t be out of place on R.E.M’s striking new release ‘Around The Sun.’ The chorus is full and harmonious and fulfilling like a Coldplay chorus. Undercut prove with this track the elasticity of their repertoire, from big rockers to sweet acoustics, all delivered in sonic-scale.
With a style and authenticity that can stand proud in British music, Undercut should congratulate themselves on being able to produce something that breaks the norm.