On their debut album Fantasy Black Channel, Late of the Pier have created twelve consistently exciting tracks throbbing with dance beats, Mick Ronson-esque guitar lines (though less glam rockish) and wicked clubby synths. And of course Samuel Eastgate’s sexalicious vocals, which are pure Bowie. 
Kicking off with the epic, almost Battles-like “Hot Tent Blues†which segues into “Brokenâ€, LotP try and explore as many different variations of electro-pop (with every possible synth sound setting they can find) over the course of the next ten tracks. Among these are the riff-rocking “Space and the Woodsâ€, the poppy “Random Firlâ€, the neon-lit “Heartbeat†and the club-y “Fockerâ€, which sounds like Bowie remixing Wolfmother. I don’t even really know how to describe “The Bears Are Comingâ€, which is probably the only electro song I’ve ever heard to make use of tablas. Even when LotP are pushing themselves and making interesting choices on FBC, they never hit a wrong note and never repeat themselves.
Though the entire ordeal is accomplished with zest, zeal and panache, one can’t help but feel as though this album represents a band in its early stages of development. LotP’s sound is comprised of so many different elements that it would be too much to expect the band to have already fused them together to arrive at a signature sound so quickly. Since this is LotP’s debut album, this is only to be expected and is not in any way a slight against the band and their skill. Besides, the large majority of bands that arrive too fully formed from the onset quickly peter out (Oasis, Stone Roses, hopefully not The Strokes) while bands with potential that develop gradually often have long, fruitful careers (Wilco, Deerhoof, Blonde Redhead).
As a debut, FBC is not only promising, but is also a significant accomplishment in itself. This is one channel you don’t want to skip.
Fantasy Black Channel is available now from Parlophone Records.
Tracklisting:
01. Hot Tent Blues
02. Broken
03. Space And The Woods
04. The Bears Are Coming
05. Random Firl
06. Heartbeat
07. Whitesnake
08. VW
09. Focker
10. The Enemy Are The Future
11. Mad Dogs And Englishmen
12. Bathroom Gurgle
Late of the Pier: website | myspace
Written By: Marc Z Grub
It seems these guys have come out of nowhere considering I’ve had trouble finding some informative reading material about the group. Their website isn’t that great. I did, however, see Erol Alkan produced the album, supposedly a notable DJ out of London. I suppose that has to be some kind of representation for promise.
Exploring other reviews, I’ve seen many comparisons to Gary Numan and Frank Zappa, but I can neither agree nor disagree since I’ve never listened to either of those two much. Fantasy Black Channel is very quirky, poppy, electronic, and full of synth. Simply put, it’s party music. Immediately there are similarities to Franz Ferdinand and The Killers, two groups who’ve successfully hit the pop scene. I’m not sure Late of the Pier will reach that status, though. There seems to be too many “been done before†aspects.
Ever since Death From Above 1979 disbanded, I’ve been searching high and low for a band able enough to replicate You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine. No, Late of the Pier can’t do that, but a few of their songs are fairly akin – “Space & The Woods†and “Focker.†The beats and guitar (or bass, whatever it is) are awesome. Going back to the producer, Erol Alkan, it may be worth knowing in the past he remixed music from both Death From Above 1979 and Franz Ferdinand. It’s just an interesting tidbit. Also, at times I think of David Bowie and subsequently Flight of the Conchords mocking him.
Fantasy Black Channel isn’t that bad despite all the rehashing, even if the flow of the album is all over the place. Amidst the rocking and dancing there’s stuff that could be music in an NES game (“Random Firl,†have a listen and tell me otherwise). All things considered, this debut is decent.