aaamusic | On 10, Jun 2012

Never do I realize the true folly of my so-called “Profession” than when I come across something I have absolutely no opinion of. It’s rare but from time to time, some poor beat combo with ambition and dreams pops into my inbox and leaves me absolutely, resolutely unmoved by what they’ve put their heart and soul into creating. I know I should say something, whether it be the faintest of praise or the slightest criticism, but the most I can muster is a definite “Not Bad”. So it is with Edinburgh based synth laden indie-poppers Night Noise Team’s latest E.P. I can’t bring myself to love this, hate this, or feel much either way about it. It’s perfectly serviceable Talk Talk, Pheonix indebted indie-pop, performed serviceably enough with agreeably nod-worthy bass lines and cautiously deployed shards of guitar. It’s… not bad? It’s not even pointless, it’s unique enough to attract someone with more enthusiasm for this kind of thing, but that’s not me at all.
You join me now, dear reader, after I’ve just listened to Pulp’s “Do You Remember the First Time?” to check whether I really have gone all Patrick Bateman on music in general and I’m pleased to announce that I haven’t, that song is still the most satisfying sexual experience I’ve ever had and Night Noise Team… well it would be easy to say they’re not but they really are just bland. The keyboard intro to opening track Picking Up the Pieces is mildly palatable but that’s all. The rest just doesn’t gel with me, I can’t get behind it, I can’t hate it… I see the appeal but it doesn’t see me. If Pheonix are your favourite band then I can’t see why you wouldn’t get behind this but for me personally? It gives me an existential crisis where I doubt my own place in the world. That’s not a good thing.

★★★★★

Will Howard