"Straight outta high school and into the jungle..." spits The Crimea frontman Davey Macmanus for the opening line of 'White Russian Galaxy', the second single from their much delayed, actually-quite-good debut Tragedy Rocks. If you think ‘high school’ is too American a term for a British band, it’s probably because they honed their talents in the US, coming back polished, slick and signed to a major.
'White Russian Galaxy' gleams unashamedly, a sunny mid-tempo account of the problems of binge drinking in young women which culminates in a sing-along chorus. It's a basic verse/chorus/verse/chorus affair, with an atmospheric organ break in the middle as pianos plink, classical guitar is plucked and the song flows smoothly along in a way that no song by The Crocketts ever did. Sadly, anyone still looking for the insanity permanently present in Macmanus’ old band is going to (yet again) be sorely disappointed.
Sure, he himself still sounds like a graduate of the Will Oldham School for the Deranged, a Billy Corgan drained of angsty anger and filled with bitter memories, a voice cracked with desperation and years of listening to the little voice inside his head, but the band behind him these days are as effortlessly composed as this song is infectiously catchy, tense enough to rank way above Keane in the Indie Scale of Bedwetting, but relaxed enough to be welcomed by the Radio 1 playlist and probably even the cruising-with-the-top-down-listening-to-Phantom-Planet fans of the O.C. alike.
Being the friendly, welcoming track from an album high in bitterness and an example of tried and tested pop over innovation, 'White Russian Galaxy' may not be the crowning achievement of Tragedy Rocks, but it is the safest bet for a daytime radio hit and likely to turn thousands of Kubb-ites onto this particular brand of deranged pop. It’s not going to trouble the end of year polls though.
i think this may well be
my favourite song on the album...especially with the piano bit.
but it's the piano bit
that sets the tone.. and its not on the single!!
denied.
If Baby Boom is released
This band will explode.
It's been released
at least once already....
yeah it has
but not on Warner with a giant music video and Radio 1 arsekissing.
and that makes aaaaaall the difference.
Yep
Thats what I meant...
This single...
has been released already too.
Am looking at my copy of the CD here. White Russian Galaxy, Lasinoco and Girl Just Died 3 track CD single innit. Looking at the year on the back - 2003?!?!
Good song and everything but I personally think they've missed the boat now...
Don't bet on it.....
i miss the crocketts...
but this is still good !
I
knew I recognised that voice from somewhere. I didnt click that it was him of ex-Crocketts fame.
I don't fucking think so.