A Band Called Quinn
Sun Moon Stars (Tromolo)
The tricky third album from Louise Quinn and her band sees them at their most confident. Always prepared to take risks they’ve go way beyond the call of duty here.
Disc opener ‘The Glitter Song’ grabs your attention immediately as it seamlessly merges a pseudo glam rock stomp with a vocal so sexy it would make Alison Goldfrapp blush. The track suggests that the band have elected to vamp it up. Whist it is true, that they have (on selected tracks); it does not tell the whole story. There is a lot more to Quinn than that.
Vintage keyboards litter the album but actually make it sound more about the here and now than they probably should. This is particularly evident on the excellent disc closer ‘Bullet Or A Friend’ and second track ‘Unsung Feeling’.
Repetition is used to tremendous effect throughout this disc. Whether it’s a keyboard riff, guitar chord or occasionally a vocal sound it all adds to the mix and conjures up some of the more accessible moments of Spiritualized. Like J. Spaceman before them the band seems to want to play with styles and push boundaries. Unlike J. Spaceman they do so in a much more considered and constructive manner which affords the listener immediacy to the songs.
The ace in the pack is undoubtedly the single DIY which I once rather shamefully suggested was the best song about masturbation since The Vapours Turned Japanese. Whilst Ms. Quinn did not deny my rather abrupt charge she did admit that the song was open to interpretation. Having listened to this album closely I would now consider that the track is actually intended to describe the current musical landscape.
As the industry continues to fragment more and more acts have found space within which their work can flourish. For the brave and the bold like Quinn this is excellent news. Not only can releases be self-financed and issued but in doing so a whole new batch of artists can enjoy autonomy and play the music game on their own terms. That Quinn appears to be prospering in this climate is testament to their undeniable talent. In Louise Quinn they have a stellar front woman ably supported by Bal Cooke, Steven Westwater and Robert Henderson. Guests on the album include Scott Fraser (bass), Charlie Milne (guitar), the magnificently named Col Trane (sax & flute) and sometime Bunnyman Gordon Goudie (guitar).
The arrangements and self-production naturally play to the strengths of the band and create a dynamic album which feels complete. The vocals are sublime while the musical accompaniment remains sympathetic throughout.
Inevitable comparisons will be made with The Adult Net, Rilo Kiley, Goldfrapp, The Cocteau Twins (Four Calendar Café era) and Stars. Whilst I can see flashes of all in this album it deserves to be judged on its own merits and it has many. You could go and buy albums from any of the other acts but having always supported the underdog I’ll plump for Louise Quinn (and her boys) every time.
David Campbell
