Les Savy Fav
French Kiss Records
You have to be skeptical of reissues, what, with record labels trying to cash in on the popularity of a band; rushing to release their back catalogue before the hyperbole settles. However, this doesn’t ring true for the reissue of Les Savy Fav's singles collection ‘Inches’, despite the bands mounting popularity. You see, ‘Inches’ has never been released in the UK except on import.
Interestingly, the album was conceived before the band had actually recorded any albums at all. The plan was to release eight singles on eight different record labels, with different art work for each one. The idea being that when all eight were collected they’d go together like a jigsaw puzzle; no surprise then that the four key members of LSF met at art school.
The album contains seventeen songs and one dramatic reading; with rarely a bum note throughout. Inches showcases how LSF have grown as a band, but still have a cohesive, sonic identity; their own image and own distinct sound.
This is thanks, in no small part, to Seth Jarbour's guitar work; instantly catchy hooks and riffs layered on delicate squalls of sound. The muscular rhythm section, Harrison Haynes on drums and Syd Butler on bass, more than puts the groove into each track, all of which appear to be dancefloor fillers despite a razor sharp post-punk edge.
There are standout tracks throughout. Live favourite 'The Sweat Descends' is an ode to partying, whilst 'One Way Widow' contains the awesome acapella intro "She was sweet sixteen baby beauty queen / straight white teeth bathed in beauty cream". Impressive shit.
Tim Harrington's lyrical inventiveness is sure to impress anyone sick of hearing run-of-the-mill odes about pubbing with their mates or crying over lost loves. More than a showcase for their many talents, ‘Inches’ displays the heart, soul and very core of a band doing whatever they damn well please.
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