Roland Shanks – Tarantula/Concerned To Leave

There's no delay in the opening of South London post-punk outfit Roland Shanks' latest offering. Singer/bassist James' bass-line thunders in accompanied by a stoic entourage of agitated guitar stabs and gets straight to the point. Layering up slowly, this determined single drives forward with little restraint. James' vocals are sounding fuller than ever and even begin to be reminiscent of a prime-of-life Morrissey. With a highly powered wail in the chorus of “now you're running away!” this could be a catchy hit. But as sprinkles of oriental sounding keyboards come flying in we also see what a textured and delicate this song really is. An abrupt end at the panicle of tension ensure we certainly wont be “running away” from skipping back to the beginning of this strong offering…several more times.

It is the b-side however, is where I think the gold is truly hidden. Coming in even stronger with an explosion of instrumentation and then building up again from another pounding bass-line, we hear the Shanks in all their glory. Doing what countless other bands attempt, at a level that is far superior shows that whoever has overlooked this band should now, at the release of this twin-killer be hanging their heads in shame. The desperate cries from James again shows a mature vocal style with catchy melodies and enough passion to make even Slayer feel a little bit under the weather. A chorus, which however incomprehensible lyrically, sticks in the mind for hours and will have the nation's indie-clan-tan shouting “na-na na na na na na” for want of…words…

This single is a relentless post-punk pop stab at the indie charts, and worthy of mass appreciation. It's just sad one can't help but worry; “is it too late?”

Charles Flying