Album reviews: The Scaramanga Six, OK Pal, Dead Modern, Deutsche Elektronische Musik 2

The Scaramanga Six - Worthless Music

Having been mainstays of the Yorkshire music scene for more than 20 years, this Leeds-based quartet may have a familiar sound to them.

The band are driven by brothers Steven and Paul Morricone, the latter a filmmaker by trade and aptly, the cinematic feel of the band’s videos is carried across into their music.

Loud and shouty music may be in vogue in the shape of Idles et al and the Scaramangas have never been shy to turn up the volume, but so are complex, shifting rhythms (Black Midi etc), and the band have been covering all areas of the musical spectrum across their ten-album career.

Here their sound is more direct than previously - opener ‘Big Ideas’ driven along by chugging bass and Gareth Champion’s pounding beats before careering into one of their trademark soaring choruses.

Other highlights in the bumper 14 tracks include ‘An Error Occurred’, its full-on in-yer-face punk rock breaking down into what may well be a harpsichord solo, while ‘Kate and Cindy’ is similarly urgent with its stabs of organ and Julia Arne’s meandering guitar lines built for the alternative radio airwaves.

However, there’s no-one else making music quite like the epic mutant prog of ‘It Is The Face Wish How’ - but it’s surely just a matter of time before everyone else catches up.

Various OK Pal Artists - Prancing Queen Vol. 2.