The Research - 'She's Not Leaving' (EMI/At Large)
3/5
By: Kari Wynn
Despite the glut of new bands jumping the art rock bandwagon like Tyson to an earlobe, the scene has produced some of the most promising emerging artists in recent memory. West Yorkshire's The Research underlines this point nicely - and although they're only punching mid-weight at present, it's clear they're in training for more.
It all kicks off to a promising start with the dissonant pogo-jump-n-stomp synth of 'She's Not Leaving', a ditty that could easily go three rounds with any of those current, nouveau art-schlock middle-classers. Lead vocals come courtesy of Russell The Disaster (a stage-name apparently taken on to 'sound dramatic, like Ivan The Terrible'), who occasionally comes over a bit like a younger, spunkier, punkier Jarvo Cocker. However, 'Stand By My Man' sees the band take a sharp left-hook to the face, combining the same musical background but with a severely mis-matched female vocal (totally lovely though it is). Without the relentless background, it'd be something quite special. Disjointed and disoriented, The Research pull through though to 'Love Me Tender' - a shuffling ballad full of enough sleepy charm and quirky lines to give the bookies something to bank on for next time.
It's not quite the K.O. we hoped for, but they certainly could be a future contender.
Artists in this article: The Research
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