Spare Snare – Victor

Aesthetically gorgeous; initial copies of Victor are packaged in a lovely hand screen printed card sleeve by Spare Snare driving machine, Jan Burnett. Championed by the late John Peel, nine albums into their career and Burnett and co. continue to take the tourist route, leisurely passing by while a plethora of try-hard indie bands burn out quicker than you can say Jing Jang Jong.

The Dundonian quintet has crafted a peculiar record, intentionally difficult in places – the drums are abrasive and often clunky, sitting at the top end of the mix. The opening salvo of And Now It Is Over and Zappa Is Sound work as a blueprint for the whole record, the first a cunningly disguised slacker-pop song with piercing two-string guitar lines and distorted vocals. Not a seamless collection, but it’s reassuring to hear a seasoned band throw so much friendly experimentation at their songs, making music as fresh as in their salad days. [Alan Souter]