Customer Reviews

Pigeonhole

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Madchester influence is quite apparent in 'Pigeonhole', but the New Fast Automatic Daffodils bring a bit more to the table. Front and center is the baggy-vibes sensibility of Madchester, with the beats/rhythms strongly resembling The Charlatans UK first 2 albums. The vocals have this lazy Julian Cope-type drawl, an interesting backdrop to the guitar-work, which seems to be a combination of different influences. A fusion of spikey post-punk riffs (The Jam, The Rapture, Interpol) and funk noodlings, ala, 'Fools Gold' by The Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays. This is one half of the equation, with the other half derived from fluid Smiths/Britpop-like guitar-lines, eg, Shed 7, The Darling Buds, Suede, etc. An strong and interesting debut, a precursor of what was to come in 4 or 5 years.

heard the album really loud on a great sound system in 91...its been in heavy rotation ever since...a Madchester must have

What can I say -- I'm a sucker for creative percussion. My dream was to attend one of their shows somehow (they were out of the UK) and scream out one of my favorite song's titles: You were lying when you said that you loved me!! I just think that'd be really funny. Wait for the lull in the crowd, then yell it. Just a different sound. Nasally vocals, creative lyrics, another product of Northern England somewhere.

New Fast Automatic Daffodils' (god that's a bad name) "Pigeonhole" is a good indie/pop rock album with some obvious influences (the guitar part in the first song sounds eerily similar to many tracks on The Police's "Zenyatta Mondatta"). The singer does a relatively good job - he seems to fit the style, but not perfectly. I'm not sure who to compare him to. Musically this is actually pretty interesting as many different kinds of instruments are used in the songs (they're all relatively complex which is cool). Sometimes the band reminds of Wall Of Voodoo's "Call Of The West", but without the post-punk. Lyrically it's not very interesting, but you won't necessarily mind. It's kind of a trippy album that serves well as background music. The drums especially are pretty funky and African-sounding (I think they're bongos) which makes the album a relaxing experience (the drums are insanely fast most of the time). It's actually quite a unique album as I've heard many many bands but still cannot find one who's similar to them as a whole - definitely interesting stuff. The songs don't usually stand out by themselves - it's basically an album that you listen to on low volume. None of the songs are bad, though. If you're curious, an open-minded listener, or if you're looking for good background music then this a good album to have around. Recommended if you can find it (it's out of print!).

Highlights include:
the entire album!

I am not very into their other albums but Pigeonhole meshed Joy Division and Manchester beats nicely into one package. When other bands were looking to make hit singles, this band was just trying to make a groove driven record - the BASS PLAYER is the hardest working element here - he just never stops picking his fingers. My favourite is still Fishes Eyes, but the whole record is a must own for any Manchester fanatic.

I want to see them in concert if nothing more than to scream out "You were lying when you said that you loved me!"

But seriously, I discovered these guys on the Mute compilation - Tonal Evidence (usa version) and was enthralled. I've always been a fan of the Manchester bands, and this is yet another unique sound coming from that part of the world. I am still partial to their song 'Partial', but the entire album is fairly consistent. I want to put them in the same category as Inspiral Carpets (without the Hammond Organ), but they really do have a unique, sparse sound -- although their music solidified with their subsequent release, Bong.

I still classify NewFADs as one of my all-tiem favorite bands. Wish they hadn't imploded.

It was the cover that grabbed my attention - actually it stopped me dead in my tracks and said "Buy Me". That was in 1991, here it is 10 years later and I am listening to this right now. I probably play it once a month.

Dark, mysterious, catchy, clever, unique musical construction. It has all of the right elements which make you keep coming back to it.

This album is slightly derranged, but in a warm friendly kind of way. Its hallmarks are funky tomtom beats and bizarre lyrics, but beyond that it defies description.

The album title is wonderfully ironic - neither the newFADS, nor this recording, can possibly be pigeonholed!

Its one of those CDs i keep returning too - a kind of old worn jumper for the aural receptors.

Enjoy!

This has a very nice souped-up retro-rock kinda 80's sound that is apparently pretty popular in colleges over here. This band has, however, shot itself in the foot with their unfortunately obscure name (distinctly antipop, which reflects how interesting the music is but ignores its catchy accessibility, ultimately all that matters to most ears). Also they're too bloody English to transcend the Brit-rock niche. A real shame.

I found this record in my local library in a sale and I can honestly say it was the best £1 ever spent in history. Funky basslines provide a strong base for lyrics which are as abstract as they are inspiring on account of their passionate delivery. atmospheric, funky, passionate.