A SWAN song, by its definition, is a parting gift and final hoorah from a band who has reached that pivotal point in their existence.
Unfortunately however, the aspirational, pulsing guitars and poignant vocals that lay behind the sound of London-based four piece, Stricken City, have only got them to their second and final album.
Their brand of flashback indie with deep roots in the 80s and bands like Blondie and The Sugarcubes was cut short in December when a downbeat statement was released explaining their decision to part.
It read: “Thank you to anyone who helped in any way, bought a record and came to a show. We never stood a chance.”
A farewell gig at The Drop, in Stoke Newington, London, on February 10th will come just three days after the release of second album, ‘Losing Colour’.
This ten song collection of at times mesmeric alternative indie begins with opener, ‘Some Say’, which kicks off with a soft saxophone and chiming intro before summoning lead singer Rebekah Raa’s pure vocal that is reminiscent of the Cocteau Twins’ vocalist Elizabeth Fraser.
Mixed with yearning harmonies, this guitar-led track eventually gets into a trademark rhythm that pulses relentlessly, contrasting beautifully with Raa’s soft sound.
This is followed up by the band’s last single, ‘Animal Festival’, which uses the combination of a deep bass and powerful guitar to contrast against that infectious lead vocal culminating in a lovely layered sound.
Another highlight is the near seven minute marathon, ‘Pull The House Down Skellington Remix’.
A stripped back percussive start welcomes in layer upon layer of electronic wails, keyboard chords and echoed vocals as Raa sings: “We can talk it over, talk it over”.
More of a dance-based departure, this track echoes of New Order with a retro, almost Super Nintendo- style electronic beat taking the lead on what was already an impressive track.
For what is a farewell album, this collection pulls no punches as the band sticks to their C86 leanings, probably helped in part by the fact that ‘Losing Colour’ will be sold on a pay-as-you-want basis.
The group’s final single and title track, ‘Losing Colour’, is a xylophone-clad, earthy guitar-led dream song that encompasses the talent within this group and is a fitting goodbye single, summarised by Raa singing: “You open the cage and you let it out”.
But for all there is right with this album, there are some songs that bring little to the table. This is by no means an album to dance to, more one to reflect over but songs like ‘Office’ and ‘Corridors’ offer little in terms of catchiness.
The two almost personify their names, the former is a busy, whilst pretty, wall of sound and the latter is more of a thick-set juggernaut that endlessly powers straight on with another indulgent guitar at its core.
This throwback farewell is at times a powerful 80s revival with a vocal that is worthy of their predecessors, but the fact that Stricken City are splitting may in itself suggest that this brand of pulsing alternative music has had its day for better or for worse.
6/10
Also published on www.virgin.com
http://www.virgin.com/music/reviews/say-goodbye-to-stricken-city/
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