The Sneaks - PEP Sounds
The Sneaks seem to have treated this EP like 'a variety show for popular and experimental forms of modern music'. The EP has four songs and a couple of videos, and if you haven't had an encounter with the Sneaks, PEP Sounds is the perfect opportunity. 'Throwback', the first song opens with rolling drums and a guitar jangle that sounds like its straight out of a 60's surf movie. Within the first couple of bars its slides sideways into a do-whop melodic punk pop song that is reminiscent of Split Enz and The Specials at the same time.
The second song 'I'm Lame' is full of pop sensibilities, with a bass line that acts as a catchy hook and falsetto vocals to accompany the main voice. It trundles along nicely for the first 30 or so seconds and then one of the juiciest synth grumbles cuts through and the song is lifted into the next plateau, and from there it's doodle-bleep singsong goodness through 'til the end.
The fastest song out of the blocks, 'Gimme Some Reparations' is also the first to finish. And like the one-minute wonders of 70's punk recordings, this song is a high velocity journey through noisy guitars and angry vocals.Finally 'French Tickler' is a departure for the theme already set by the first three songs. Although it's still jammed packed the Sneaks' quirky good times sound, this time instead of a punk tinge it's a dirty funk number replete with sultry French lyrics, and a male/female duo. It finishes the EP off nicely and if you're not a fan before listening, you'll probably be one after.
Jamie
