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Source:Losing Today
Subject: Penguins

By rights this should come adorned with an advisory sticker recommending the on-site support of someone specialising in the counselling of grief. Let’s not beat about the bush here – the last time I remember weeping this uncontrollably was at the tender of age of five…We warned you about ‘Treeology’ - the bands ultra limited debut release, of late finding itself the subject of much frenzied auction site action every time a copy dares to appear. It was perhaps one of the debuts of the year…a delicately inspired miniature workbook.

Sublime is a description you can’t help being drawn to when in the company of ’Penguins’ - pained, bruised, tragic, eloquent, tender, crushing and, above all, magnificently beautiful. shady bard are one of those rare beasts who defy category: you hear their records, you love their records and yet sat down with pen in hand (so to speak) ready to write exactly why - you hit a creative brick wall - their sounds pass into your life like spectres casting both a longing warmth and sense of aching distance its makes for a song craft that’s not for the feint hearted.

This cowering honey takes its cue from iLiKETRAiNS, possesses the frailty of early Arab Strap, the mercurial astuteness of Radiohead and the tormenting stature forming radiance of Godspeed…Touching as it is, ‘Penguins’ suffers an exposure that many may feel too explicit. The emotional charge that unwraps and emits from within hits you like a tidal wave - vocals that sound like their author has the woes of the world on his shoulders, softly stirring string arrangements that pick away at your heart exacting their svelte surgical precision - it is in truth something that’s part suffocating and yet cathartic. By comparison ’Dust’ over on the flip is ghost-like in texture, imagine Robert Wyatt being backed by Ivor Cutler, so frail and fragile you fear for its safe passage to the finishing line.

As to the actual release - currently at the pressing plant and again ridiculously limited and as we are led to understand coming housed in a wrap around sleeve, clear vinyl and no doubt selling out on pre-orders alone - this absolute treasure of a release is the dog’s bollocks and so essential that if it wasn’t for the fact that I have a copy (of sorts) already I’d be sizing up various family members and friends alike to sell in exchange for.

Mark Barton

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