Artist: Black Tambourine
Album: Black Tambourine
Label: Slumberland
Rating: 4
Black Tambourine’s latest album is a compilation of oldies transformed into goodies – and frankly, there is not a damn thing wrong with that.
The band split in 1991, but managed to stay true to their ’90s indie-pop roots while releasing a contemporary album that is completely of the moment. Old hits like “For Ex-Lovers Only” and the unreleased demo version of “Throw Aggi Off the Bridge” still stand as memorable classics. Boldly built into the album’s highlights are remastered covers of Buddy Holly’s “Heartbeat” and Suicide’s “Dream Baby Dream.” Both tracks lilt into a fever-dream of fuzz guitars and sleepy vocals. It’s a pleasantly droned-out twist on two classic singles, to say the least.
This is noise-pop and lo-fi to the core, but owing much to The Jesus and Mary Chain as primary influences. Perhaps being produced by Slumberland Records helps with the shoegaze pop sensibilities – but then again, that’s nothing to complain about.
Give these tracks a listen: “For Ex-Lovers Only” and “Heartbeat”
For fans of: The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Pastels, Velocity Girl
– Vanna Le
