It Rots

If, as pointed out in a recent Shaky Hands record review, Pavement continue to be a key touchstone for almost every indie band coming out of America, then the UK’s been markedly less inclined to produce mid-nineties US college radio-adoring musicians. It’s Salford, Greater Manchester and not Stockton, California that’s shaped much of its output this past decade. Yet with Joy Division flogging reaching tipping point – especially in a week when the god-awful White Lies try to sell faux doom and gloom to an already doomed and gloomed nation – a far lower key, side-order offering from three-quarters of Absentee provides just the kind of refreshment required.

Basically the wry indie-pop four-piece minus the growl of Dan Michaelson, Wet Paint don’t just wear their Malkmus, Mascis and Barlow influences on their sleeves, they purposely pile on the layers to make sure a Pollard, a Berman and a Kaplan get a look in too. They’re fiercely loyal to all throughout the lively, hissing It Rots and rarely do so to a fault. To that end previous singles ‘Hug It Out’ and ‘Save The Whale’ – the album’s closer that itself begins with a nailed on classic, wailing riff – offer authenticity for the relentless ‘Bellyaches’ and Spiral Stairs climbing ‘Don’t Shave’ to show this isn’t just imitation for imitation sake.

And while this remains consistently enjoyable – particularly on ‘Bad Education’, the most conventionally melodic of the eleven tracks – it never quite becomes anything more. Blame the conundrum of lo-fi music, that inherent difficulty in connecting with or affecting the listener. Because consequently, despite everything being in the right place on say ‘By Myself’, ‘His Coffin’ and even the slow-to-kick-into-gear (but boys does it) title track, not one has much else to reveal upon repeated listen.

Nevertheless when, in five years time, the BBC’s Sound For 2014 poll-toppers are defiantly recording in low fidelity, Wet Paint can take a bow as geographical trend setters. With It Rots, they’ve produced a fine debut to give second thought to keeping their endeavours strictly confined to a sparetime basis.