The Somatics - 'The Somatics' (Beggars Banquet)
4/5
By: Toby L
The Somatics: arising from the ashes of former indie-hopefuls Ultrasound, you say? Right, then.
But, whether you were attached to their former incarnation or not, The Somatics' output is a wholly different musical affair. For starters, vocals are shared between the husband-wife combo of Stephanie and Richard, producing a rare joint-affinity seldom experienced during most duets, and the emphasis this time is less on show - and more on melody.
Their debut, self-titled LP is a glorious record, rich of instrumental innovation - the guitar proving eerily alike Tom Verlaine during final opus 'Goodbye 25' - and heart-warming harmonies and tunes. Recent single 'Lemonade' will have you fall in love with British three-pieces again, name-checking a rather sweet state of affairs: 'How you dance when no-one's looking', and whose scintillating Pixies/Las-esque six-string manoeuvres are the most beautiful thing you'll have heard thus far into the musical-calendar of 2002. Aside from this, The Divine Comedy/'Tonight We Fly' drums of 'For Claudette' and tranquil pace of 'LS2 9LZ' prove the versatility and freshness of a new act that have potential for a consistently strong and unexpected career-ride.
The Somatics are an odd addition to a presently rich music-scene of American bands trying to sound British and British acts trying to sound American - but, because of that, the result is a distinctiveness and credibility that should see them progress finely for the future.
Artists in this article: The Somatics
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