Lapels

"When I say War, you say Hol. War!.c'mooon".

Pop songs. Danced to, kissed to, jesus some people even make babies to these things. No matter how 'existencial' and 'enlightening' your brothers post-rock-brit-electronica-indie-progressive-punk band is, there is something endearing, nay, essencial about a good pop song. Even better however, are those pop songs that harbour the very spirit of that dancing, that kissing, and thatbaby making. From common people to another girl another planet, pop songs are the soundtrack to one million jilted dances, lonley kisses and.you get it. Lapels are a terrifying and beautiful collage of passive nihalism and slakerdom. Pop culture is raped, mutated, then tucked between the verbs, song by song. Lapels write songs about intergalatic pink panzer troopes hunting dead pop artists. Odes to lost time travellers. Nods to beat poets, and hymns for bus stops. Lapels write songs about love and time travel. And really, what else is there?



On the face of it Wakefield four-piece Lapels are a fairly standard indie-rock band. The scuzzy guitars and downbeat vocals are nothing we haven't heard before. Perhaps this is what prompted one reviewer (the aptly named Will Slater) to write "Utter drivel . crap, crap crap. Stupid song titles too. 0 out of 10"

Perhaps I'm listening to something different, because I happen to think Lapels are rather brilliant. The laissez faire delivery of 'Painted Skeletons' is captivating in a way that perhaps only Let's Wrestle could better. Even more impressive is the unusual structure of the song. Lapels have thrown the normal indie song-structure out the window and gone with something much more interesting. Pavement always seemed pretty good at that, but they were often self indulgent and this isn't.



'Last Great Civilisation' is deservedly granted double a-side status and like 'Painted Skeletons' is a thoughtful, compelling piece of songwriting. And neither has a stupid title.



8 Out Of 10



Lobster Quadrill Magazine



"This is the first release from new label Philophobia of Wakefield. Lapels debut "Painted Skeletons" is a curiously endearing mix of David Bowie croon and Stephen Malkmus wileyness, wrapped up in shambling guitar work. An odd delight."



Sheffield Phonograpic Corporation



Despite having a rubbish name which suggests that they belong to the ever-growing list of bands that are obsessed with The Libertines, Wakefield quartet Lapels' double A-sided single is a delightful slice of indie pop. Lead singer Tim sounds like a young David Bowie as he slurs and elongates his words ed Skeletons', while 'Last Great Civilisation' musically leans towards Sonic Youth's poppier moments with its scuzzed-up guitars and general raucousness. Awesome.



Ash Dosanjh, The Stool Pigeon