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We're back on the festival ground on a beautiful warm spring day, enjoying a cold beverage and some music that makes us shake our heads and puts a smile on our faces. Well, in our minds we are. In reality we're sitting in a comfortable sofa. The sunshine through our window warms the air and outside we hear our neighbours' kids playing. However, we are shaking our heads and we are smiling. It's a nice sunday afternoon.
The Narentines name themselves a female power trio, based in Switserland. First and formost however, we're dealing with a very decent rock band who are able to write some potential party songs. Soundphernalia, their first effort, is an excellent e.p. with some very strong songs. It combines the best elements from grunge, rock, new wave and power pop and turn them into a highly enjoyable sound.
After a few seconds into opener 'Wheel Of Fortune' we're actually taken on a trip throughout female vocal rock history. 'Wheel Of Fortune' reminds me of The Breeders, 'Run For Your Life' sounds like a heavier Siouxsie, 'Secret Space' could have been written and performed by PJ Harvey and 'Fists And Pride' rocks like L7. Judging from that, you could somehow think that The Narentines are musical thieves but no, they clearly found their own sound, inspired by some of the best.
The result is a very strong debut, both light-hearted and a bit raw at the same time. These ladies have a lot of talent and a highly convincing sound. Besides the previously mentioned artists, they also incorporate the experimental character of Sonic Youth and the emotional, almost distressed atmosphere of Slowdive. Needless to say that this is a very versatile album, perfect for those warm summer afternoons on a sunlit festival ground.
Serge
The Narentines name themselves a female power trio, based in Switserland. First and formost however, we're dealing with a very decent rock band who are able to write some potential party songs. Soundphernalia, their first effort, is an excellent e.p. with some very strong songs. It combines the best elements from grunge, rock, new wave and power pop and turn them into a highly enjoyable sound.
After a few seconds into opener 'Wheel Of Fortune' we're actually taken on a trip throughout female vocal rock history. 'Wheel Of Fortune' reminds me of The Breeders, 'Run For Your Life' sounds like a heavier Siouxsie, 'Secret Space' could have been written and performed by PJ Harvey and 'Fists And Pride' rocks like L7. Judging from that, you could somehow think that The Narentines are musical thieves but no, they clearly found their own sound, inspired by some of the best.
The result is a very strong debut, both light-hearted and a bit raw at the same time. These ladies have a lot of talent and a highly convincing sound. Besides the previously mentioned artists, they also incorporate the experimental character of Sonic Youth and the emotional, almost distressed atmosphere of Slowdive. Needless to say that this is a very versatile album, perfect for those warm summer afternoons on a sunlit festival ground.
Serge