Cerrig Melys – “Ein Dwylo Alltud”
Like I’ve said elsewhere in this ‘zine, Cerrifg Melys were an unknown quantity to me. I’d seen the name but I’d heard very little of the music. I got hold of the tape at their recent gig supporting Anhrefn; well after their live performance it was a must!
It open with Cyn Hir (Before long), a sweet song, rising and falling like the perfect wave. If track one is the wave, Blodyn Haf (Summer Flower) is the surfer who rides it! Each builds on the track previous to it.
By the time we get to the end of side one, we’re almost into the finer moments of Sub Pop, but not quite so hard-edged. And really that’s Cerrig melys summed up – sometimes sweet, sometimes hard.
The second side opens with Eira (Snow), which in itself flows between the left and right and back again. After a speeding trip through Iawn, we touch the brakes and cruise through Anwes and onto Cosbi Cariad.
I really like this band and so should you. Drop the boys a line at the address below. I think it’s £2 +p&p.
Prunus Tenella – “6 track demo”
Hey, this is weird, or could it be I’m missing something? This demo arrives with a stack of press releases, gig and demo reviews. All, or nearly all, compared compared Prunus to the Stone Roses or Ride. I don’t know about you, but the Stone Roses don’t sound like Ride and Ride don’t sound like the Stone Roses. Chelsea Girl sounds nothing like Made of Stone, agreed? Anyway to cap it all, Prunus Tenella sound like neither!
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad tape, it’s just that it doesn’t sound anything like the aforementioned bands.
To get back to the purpose of this, my demo included 6 songs – Kind, Big Coincidence, Something’s Wrong, Vanishing Annie, World Alone, and the strongest track, Steel Wave. Indie-rock would be the best description. It sounds original to me, which is what music should be about. On saying that, I’ve got to be honest, a lot of it passed me by. I wanted to like it. I played it quiet, I played it loud; headphones on, headphones off; side 1 before side 2; side 2 before side 1; all to no avail. It’s my opinion, and my opinion alone, but I reckon the boys would be better off plugging their originality than the ‘we sound like’ side of things.
Just to confuse things a little further, Prunus Tenella recently supported Ned’s Atomic Dustbin at the Newport Centre!
Why don’t you decide for yourself? Write to Prunus Tenella c/o Dosh Productions, Cardiff.
Steve Andrews & The Flowers of the City – “4 track demo”
A little gem this one. It opens with, You always look so fine to me. It’s pure pop with a 70’s slant; basically a carefree love song with teenage emotion.
Kingfisher, the second track, reminds me of the Velvet Underground, probably because of its alternative 60’s feel. ‘I’ll be your kingfisher’, kinky or what?
Reality Song is probably the strongest of the four. It’s got a folky feel and the lyrics don’t make sense. I like it.
The tape closes with a track called, Superhero. More nonsensical lyrics with a Rolf Harris vibe!
Write to Steve at……..Cardiff.
Reviews by Darren Jones