Ffa Coffi Pawb - 'Am Byth' (Placid Casual)
3/5
By: Toby L
When a band's most sensational career landmark was to cause a very minor media uproar over the phonetic pronunciation of a name, you know that it's time to rewrite history. So, let's elude for a few seconds that Ffa Coffi Pawb were the most influential, important, seminal group ever. And forget the fact that their ranks numbered future members of Super Furry Animals and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. And completely discard the point that, when announced aloud, their band-moniker means 'F**k Off Everybody' in Welsh, yet literally means 'Everybody's Coffee Beans'.
Right, all that out the way, it means compilation-LP 'Am Byth' is the most important record ever.
OK, we'll stop.
At best, Ffa Coffi Pawb were a cult act in their own native Wales during the 80s, with a humerous title, and that's about it.
This, a collection of their recordings - originally released on the still-active Ankst indie-label - is more a foundational SFA study; an uncovering of what made frontman and guitarist Gruff-Rhys evolve into, eventually, one of the finest pop songwriters of our time. For you can almost hear it here. Opener 'Valium' is like the Animals with an Ian Curtis menace, whilst 'Gafael Yn Dynn' and 'Sega Segur' unlock some of that cunning chug-rock that defines the Furries' early records.
But, elsewhere, Ffa Coffi Pawb demonstrate that most frustrating of positions common with most 'promising' acts - an ability to form a unique sound, cutting ideas, yet seldom muster the all-out grandiose skill to create the songs. It's not aided by the stifling, turgid production, which doesn't provide much room for contrast or movement in the muddy recordings (while our own ignorance to the tongue of the Welsh probably isn't helping matters).
Yet in amongst the rubble is a talent eking to squirm out; listen enough times, and you'll see where and how he did.
Then pick up 'Radiator' or 'Rings Around The World', and be gratified in knowing the very foundations from which such genius first arose. Chances are, though - after those formidable airings - you may not wish to look back a second time.
Artists in this article: Ffa Coffi Pawb
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