Lupine Howl - 'Don't Lose Your Head' (Beggars Banquet)
3/5
By: Thomas Hannan
Ozzy Osbourne may have developed a taste for bats and Michael Jackson did once have a monkey for a best mate, but that 'ex-members' tag is one more difficult to shake off than even bat-eating or ape-befriending. Lupine Howl arose after Spiritualized frontman Jason Pierce suddenly fell out with the rest of his band's members, and although it may not reach the peaks of Pierce's most gorgeous moments, 'Don't Lose Your Head' possesses more of a 'perfect three minute pop song' quality than anything Spiritualized have yet to offer.
Although references to the sound of their former employers are unavoidable, Sean Cook, Mike Mooney & 'honorary member' Jonny Matlock's sound also harks to that of The Smiths and upcoming tour partners The Charlatans in terms of its shimmering melancholia. The first single to be taken from forthcoming full-length 'The Bar At The End of the World' is a suitably laid-back ode to contemplation, and whilst the lack of edge may not help them catch the attention at first listen, the dreamy atmospherics and slow-hand guitar-playing soon reveal themselves as perfect weapons for pop musical pleasure.
Indeed, all this is crafted in a very understated manner you understand; and, fitting with the nature of the release, it's a limited-edition, seven-inch only single. And, thankfully, 'Don't Lose Your Head' not only does enough to justify you reaching for the 45rpm button, but also goes a long way to exorcising those pesky 'ex-member' demons. Just as Spiritualized took time to develop, Lupine Howl will too, but as the debut release from a second album, things are certainly looking up.
Artists in this article: Lupine Howl
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