Voo - Dates Facts & Figures (Spank)
3/5
By: Gareth Roberts
Although Voo come from Liverpool, they sound nothing like most, if not all, the bands that have ever emerged from the city. Rather than taking their influences from the Merseybeat tinged messrs like Cast, Shack, oh and The Beatles etc, Voo's influences are instead drawn more often from over the Atlantic.
Apparent in their sound are the likes of Guided by Voices, Pavement and Broken Social Scene, and in effect they sound like they were educated in American colleges rather than Merseyside comprehensives. The pleasing tunes loop around like a steady fairground ride, never really gathering momentum, but then of course if it's not broken...
Whilst derivative in many ways, the apparent lack of music like this emerging from our green and pleasant lands gives Voo an air of originality. Their sound is far from urgent, rather it meanders subtly in a suggestive manner. 'On the Return' is a highlight, mixing delicate guitar playing with a driving rthythm, Graham Jones' voice sounding as dis-interested and effectively as monotone as ever, in a good way.
For all the positives, the samey nature of the record does begin to get a little tiresome towards the end, however, there's enough here to warrant your attention. In a world where almost every band these days either sound like a poor man's Libertines or wave their glowsticks around as if having them carries them beyond reproach (it doesn't), Voo are a welcome diversion.
Artists in this article: Voo, Voodoo Child
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