DR.SLAGGLEBERRY

Not so long ago I had the misfortune of reviewing Dr Slaggleberry's previous EP. It truly was an atrocious mess; directionless to the point of collapse with almost-audible screamo vocals. However, with Christmas around the corner, it's good to know miracles can happen because, fuck me, this latest release is incredibly good. Gone is singer Edd (who really contributed nothing of worth to the previous e.p.). This seems to have allowed the remaining musicians the freedom to truly explore their music and structure it to allow the songs to breathe and flow. Recorded live for an XFM session, the production is a step up from the previous release. The playing too seems to have matured. Less inclined now to shoe-horn notes in to prove their prowess, the spazzy sections are now to be welcomed rather than reviled. However, it is the jazzier mellow parts where this new-found maturity really shines. I listened to this three times in a row and, had I not run out of time, would have gleefully listened to it some more. I suspect that over time I will continue to discover further hidden layers within the soundscapes, and I truly look forward to doing so; there is a strong repeatability feel to this. At three tracks, you are unlikely to get bored, and may even feel slightly aggrieved that the end comes so quickly. In stark contrast then to my previous review, I now welcome a full length from Dr Slaggleberry. And let's hope they continue this new found focus.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Crash Records

EP

TUC INTO THE TAR!

Review by Steve Cowan

RUNNING TIME:

13:48

RELEASE DATE:

17th Nov 2008

TRACK LISTING

1) Extra Strength Grandma
2) Lead Rabbit
3) Tails of the Blind Donkey

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"...it is the jazzier mellow parts where this new-found maturity really shines."