Tetra Splendour - 'Splendid Animation' (EMI)
4/5
By: Toby L
New music is staggering at the moment. Those that aren't matching up to the high-standards currently being laid out, or just merely act as chancers, are finding it tough to get into the music-world whilst those with genuine ability and talent are getting the attention they need. Aren't they..?
Not in every case, that's for sure. Tetra Splendour should be a hell of a lot more known than they presently are, for instance. With former low-key single-releases such as 'De-rail', 'Mr Bishi' and 'Pollenfever', sure, there's been a few radio-plays, but there's hardly been a rumble created in the record-shop by music-fans to get their hands on copies. Admittedly, the tracks released so far on to the public are good, but match 'em up against the quality of the work on their debut-LP, 'Splendid Animation' - or merely when they're placed back-to-back in a more fitting context - it's then that you'll realise just what's so 'splendid' about this Porthcawl conundrum in the first place.
The LP opens with the spectacular 'Landmine' - and you immediately know what you're being let in for: big, dizzy arrangements that surpass the derogatory tag of 'indie', but hardly account for 'rock' or 'psychedelia'. The fusion of whirling synths, keyboards and masterfully well-performed guitars suggests that their eclecticism, musically, is linked to the wild invention of the Super Furry Animals, Radiohead and Beck - fitting, really, bearing in mind the latter two acts are the band's most favourable, chief influences. However, this is where the comparisons end, for TS are quite distinctive for their own cutting edge with melody and instrumental-wizardry.
After all, who else could create the catastrophically bewildering collision of sharp, funky guitar and spooky harmonics displayed within 'Bless My Soul', or the paranoid beauty of 'Muriel's Motorhome' in just one listening-experience? If this doesn't get you, then, most likely, the shadowy awesomeness of 'CFCs' and 'In-flight Manual' will convert you to the Splendour religion.
For their first ever record, Tetra Splendour have produced one of the most excitingly open-minded and brave albums of 2002 so far. However, let's hope that their oddness doesn't detract a potential audience - because this fruitful four-piece deserve the trappings of their heroes.
Artists in this article: Tetra Splendour
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