London’s JB Newman & The Black Letter Band describe their sound as ’sleazy saxophone and loud electric guitar straddling some pounding bass & drums with a vast array of inventive keyboard sounds’, and claim to produce ’a shot of haunting, Bluesy rock ‘n roll with a surreal poetic twist, like a roadhouse band from a Lynch movie.’
While I’m far from an expert in London’s noir rock scene, and would be therefore could be oblivious to any number of similar groups or artists that adopt this simultaneously sensual and creepy style, I am going to embrace my potential ignorance and say that Shadow of a Dream is a delightfully different EP that is well worth your time.
‘Atmosphere’ is a word being bandied about to describe the EP and you can see why. There seems to be an element of showmanship in all aspects of the act, from the dramatic instrumentation and vocals to the sartorial state of the band and the associated artwork (see the poster below for an example). They seem intent on forming something more than a regular touring band, an image, something recognisable as theirs.
The Lynch reference is a good one. I can imagine Newman performing on a stage draped in red velvet while James and Donna fall out/make up, Bobby and Mike get in over their heads in some scheme and Agent Cooper communicates with the mysterious giant, the music climaxing and falling into lulls at odd moments while the audience either seem hypnotised by the song or else completely unaware there is anyone on stage at all.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/11496509″]
For those of you that are into Halloween and that sort of thing, I’m sure you would find a song on Shadow of a Dream that would fit nicely onto a playlist.
The EP is to be launched at a Halloween show in London, with further details on the poster below.
