Close Lobsters: Foxheads Stalk This Land (1987)
Dipping back into that deep, deep well of jangly guitar bands from the mid-80s college radio scene... Scottish indie rockers Close Lobsters managed a 1987 debut which, despite a terrible band name and an even worse album title, was surprisingly cool and endearing. And yeah, it's got those jangly guitars, but also a more melodic, artsy vibe which brings to mind bands like Australia's Go-Betweens, as well as a garage band-infused jagged pop in line with New Zealand bands like the Bats and the Clean.
"Sewer Pop Dream" is terrifically catchy; "I Kiss The Flowers In Bloom" is as pretty as the title suggests, with a garage-y Clean-like undercurrent; "Pathetique" ratchets it up a notch, rousing garage rock (again out of the Clean's playbook); "A Prophecy" is lovely, this time aligning more with the Bats; and closer "Mother of God" is an upbeat rocker that stretches out into a Velvet Underground/Clean guitar scrawl.
The band stuck around for a few more albums (mostly overlooked but still terrific), then took a 30-year break before reappearing earlier this year with the unexpectedly great Post Neo Anti.
Here's a home-brewed video for "I Kiss The Flowers":
Here's an audio rip of "Sewer Pipe Dream":
...and an audio rip of "Pathetique"
"Sewer Pop Dream" is terrifically catchy; "I Kiss The Flowers In Bloom" is as pretty as the title suggests, with a garage-y Clean-like undercurrent; "Pathetique" ratchets it up a notch, rousing garage rock (again out of the Clean's playbook); "A Prophecy" is lovely, this time aligning more with the Bats; and closer "Mother of God" is an upbeat rocker that stretches out into a Velvet Underground/Clean guitar scrawl.
The band stuck around for a few more albums (mostly overlooked but still terrific), then took a 30-year break before reappearing earlier this year with the unexpectedly great Post Neo Anti.
Here's a home-brewed video for "I Kiss The Flowers":
Here's an audio rip of "Sewer Pipe Dream":
Hello- I just discovered your blog and look forward to going back and reading previous entries. I’m a big jangle and power pop fan. I love Close Lobsters. Their comeback album is currently neck to neck with Rolling Blackouts CF for my favorite album of the 2020. Cheers! - Matt
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